It is difficult to escape the economic downturn news. Much as it would be good to bring news of variety or an upbeat comment, the state of the nation's finances is steamrollering all other considerations for industry.rnJCB's announcement of nearly 700 job losses in early January is indicative of the slowdown that continues due to lack of credit. The company has predicted a 75% fall in production in the first three months of 2009 compared to the same time last year and says the anticipated upturn in the second quarter now shows no sign of materialising.rnSpeaking to a number of representatives from concrete product companies in December, the picture has been much the same, with extended Christmas-break periods of up to a month and shorter working weeks.rnBlame for the predicament is being pinned on any organisation in a position of power. But let's face it, the real culprits are the banks and financial institutions - creators and prolongers of the credit crunch. Despite a staggering ￡37 billion recapitalisation pumped into three of the major banks, the problem of lack of available credit remains. A satisfactory answer as to why has yet to be given.
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