The deficit on trade in goods and services was unchanged in April at £2.8 billion, after the March figure was revised down from £3 billion to £2.8 billion.
Figures from the Office of National Statistics showed that the deficit in goods fell to £7.4 billion from £7.7 billion in March, as a fall in imports of consumer goods offset a small rise in exports. The surplus on trade in services was £4.6 billion, down from £4.9 billion in March. The ONS report again showed no evidence of an export-led recovery. ■