UK manufacturing ended 2011 with the worst fourth quarter figures since 2009, according to the Markit Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) survey.

The survey, which questions manufacturers on output and order books, showed a reading of 49.6 in December and 47.7 recorded in November, below the 50 mark above which indicates a sector is expanding.

Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke said that the coalition government had no coherent strategy to help manufacturing, with the Eurozone crisis only making life more uncertain for manufacturing.

He said: "We need an interventionist strategy to help manufacturing companies, be they large or small and medium-sized businesses, otherwise stagnant manufacturing output is here for years to come.

"We have many world-class businesses, with a workforce with fantastic skills who need the government’s help – but all ministers seem intent on are attacks on employment rights.

"And our manufacturing companies rely on traditional markets in the EU. We have to be on the pitch – in the game – we are not even on the subs bench when it comes to Team Europe – we are sitting in Row Z."