Employers are laying off an increasing number of senior executives, as they react to tougher times in the economy.

The rate at which senior executives in the South East are being made redundant has almost doubled in the last 12 months, reflecting a similar national picture, according to the survey carried out for the Chartered Management Institute.

For every 100 south east senior managers covered in the survey, 1.6 were laid off in the last year, compared to 0.9 in the previous year.

Nationally, the rate was three per cent, up from 1.4 per cent.

The worst place to be a senior executive was in East Anglia, where the redundancy rate is running at 12.1 per cent.

In contrast, the 2008 National Management Salary Survey also showed executive pay was generally rising, with junior executives in the South East enjoying higher pay rises, at 4.7 per cent, than either directors, who managed just three per cent, or managers, at four per cent.

The data also suggests that the executives are willing to risk their job security if they are not happy at work.

Executive resignations are running at 6.5 per cent, representing the second highest figure over the past decade. Executives in the South East were the most loyal, with just 4.2 per cent handing in their notice during the year.

Mark Crail, of the survey’s south east-based publisher CELRE, said: "This year’s study reflects the uncertain economic climate as it shows employers reacting to tougher times, but trying to find ways to retain key personnel too.

"Remuneration packages have clearly changed, but they must continue to evolve to meet the needs of the economy and workforce."