UK exports continue to grow following launch of Export Strategy
Exports were up by 6.4% in the year to June 2018 when compared to the same period last year according to the latest ONS Balance of Payments data out today.
Latest ONS statistics show an increase in UK exports.
- exports of goods and services increase by 6.4% to 拢630.2bn
- the trade deficit has narrowed significantly by 拢14.4bn
- service surplus widens by 拢10.4bn as London secures its place as Europe鈥檚 financial centre
A 6.6% increase in goods exports was driven by a demand for high quality British manufacturing with service exports also continuing to boom (up 6.2%) due to the UK鈥檚 reputation as a global leader in financial services.
Today鈥檚 figures reveal that the trade deficit has also narrowed by 拢14.4bn over the last year, now standing at 拢17.9bn.
Non-EU countries remain a larger market than the EU 27, with total exports outside of the EU totaling 拢342.8bn. Services exports experienced a 3.3% growth outside the EU, with a total value of 拢168.2bn.
International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox MP, said:
Today鈥檚 figures show that the demand from all over the world is continuing to increase for our high quality goods and services. As we leave the EU, we look to further our trading ties with key overseas markets such as the USA, Japan and China where our exports have risen by 4.1%, 7.4% and 7.5% respectively.
As an international economic department, DIT continues to help businesses export overseas - our Export Strategy will help ensure that they鈥檙e making the most out of the global export opportunities that are out there.
The Department for International Trade recently launched a series of Free Trade Agreement Consultations, focusing on new free trade agreements with the USA, Australia and New Zealand, as well as the UK potentially joining to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Exports to the USA remain particularly strong, totaling 拢111.8bn in the year to June 2018, an increase of 4.1%.
Last month DIT launched its ambitious new Export Strategy. The Strategy sets out how the government will support businesses of all sizes to make the most of the opportunities presented by markets around the world.
A government-led collaboration with business, developed after extensive engagement with a range of UK firms - the Strategy sets a new ambition from government to increase exports as a proportion of UK GDP to 35%.
It presents a streamlined and targeted offer for businesses of all sizes, set to raise productivity, boost wages and protect employment across the UK.
This is just the start 鈥� in the months ahead DIT will lead work across government to assess what more we can do to support UK business to achieve a step change in their exporting performance.