The UK trade deficit for goods and services narrowed to £2.9 billion in November from £3.1bn the month before, according to official figures from the Office for National Statistics.
The deficit – the difference between the amount of goods imported and the amount of goods exported – was made up of a £6.8 billion surplus on goods which was partially offset by a £3.9 billion surplus on services. The goods deficit mirrored the overall figures by falling £0.2bn while services were unchanged.
The deficit with EU countries widened to £3.8 billion in November from £3.5 billion in October. Exports rose by £0.1 billion and imports rose by £0.3 billion. The deficit with non-EU countries narrowed to £3.0 billion in November, also from £3.5 billion in October. Exports fell by £0.1 billion and imports fell by £0.6 billion. There was a fall in imports of consumer goods other than cars.
Export prices were 0.4 per cent lower, and import prices were 0.6 per cent lower, also compared with October.
