Business activity in the north west has risen for the first time in six months.
According the the NatWest PMI Index, economic conditions improved in January as Brexit uncertainty began to ease following the December general election result.
Data showed demand for local goods and services also 鈥渟trengthened鈥 for the first time since last April, supporting the first increase in output for six months, and January saw a pick-up in job creation.
However, the rate of growth in business activity in the north west was 鈥渕oderate and weaker鈥 than recorded at national level, NatWest said.
The NatWest North West business activity index - which measures the change in output of the region鈥檚 manufacturing and service sectors - rose to 51.7 in January, up from 48.7 in December, with businesses reporting an increase in order volumes, stock-building initiatives and improved sentiment, which reached a 16-month high.
Richard Topliss, chair of NatWest north regional board, said: 鈥淭he north west, in line with the rest of the 海角视频, saw an improved trend for business activity in January as the cloud of uncertainty started to clear following the general election.
鈥淪tronger business and client confidence meant that local firms enjoyed a robust upturn in new work intakes, which they responded to by scaling up output and creating jobs.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 more, companies expect growth to be sustained over the coming 12 months and the overall level of sentiment increased to its highest in close to a year and a half.鈥
Mr Topliss continued: 鈥淭hese positive results were accompanied by persistent signs of strong inflationary pressure, as firms saw their expenses rise due to higher fuel and staff costs as well as currency weakness.
鈥淔or now, the favourable demand environment allowed for some degree of pricing power, which resulted in the quickest increase in selling prices for almost one year.鈥
However, Mr Topliss said firms may face the challenge of 鈥渁chieving the right balance between protecting their margins and remaining competitive on price鈥.
