The Bank of England is being urged to cut interest rates to protect engineering firms from renewed weakness in the global economy.
The British Engineering Employers' Federation (EEF) is calling on the Bank to show it's aware of the problems facing hundreds of its members.
The federation's latest survey shows engineering output and orders have fallen for six successive quarters, with the downturn widespread across all industries.
It now believes more than 100,000 jobs will be cut in the sector this year as a recovery takes longer to materialise.
The EEF, whose survey took in 1,200 firms, says engineering output has fallen by 16 per cent since the end of 2000, compared with an 8 per cent fall in the wider manufacturing sector.
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee meets tomorrow to set rates for September. It is widely expected to vote for another no-change. It will announce its decision at noon on Thursday.