Government closer to Export Strategy goal as UK goods exports near £300bn

Goods exports have risen across the UK, new figures show.

In the 12 months to June 2018, the total value of UK trade in goods exports rose year on year by 5.4% to £298.7bn, the Department for International Trade said today (September 6).

The same was true for imports, with the overall value of goods coming into the country increasing 3.3%.

All four UK nations recorded an uptick in exports during the period, with England seeing a rise of 4.3% to £244.8bn, Scotland of 7% to £28.8bn, Wales 4.2% to £16.6bn and Northern Ireland 0.8% to £8.5bn.

The figures follow the launch of the Government’s Export Strategy, which outlined a new ambition to grow exports as a proportion of GDP to 35%.

Dr Liam Fox MP, international trade secretary, said of the findings: “The continued rise in exports is fantastic news for Britain – driving job creation and prosperity across the UK.

“Our firms should look at these figures and be confident about the opportunities they have to grow their business overseas.”

He continued: “People around the world want to buy British and, with the launch of our new Export Strategy, my international economic department has set out an offer for all businesses to ensure they are able to make the most of the global opportunities this presents.”

Dr Liam Fox will establish a new taskforce, at a meeting of the Board of Trade in Coventry today, to accelerate the Government’s Global Britain agenda and ensure the positive trend continues.