A frustrating few months lie ahead as data point towards recovery but unemployment rises. How does Britain feel? Stories from around the country give a clue to the mood.

North-east England. Green shoots: 2,000 steelworkers at Teesside Cast Products have orders until the end of September. Weak roots: hundreds of Teesside chemicals jobs are under threat; Japan’s NSK is closing a steering systems factory at Peterlee with the loss of 160 jobs; Northern Rock made a half-year loss of £725m.