The total trade deficit (goods and services) widened £3.1 billion in the three months to October 2018; the goods deficit widened £1.7 billion and the services surplus narrowed £1.3 billion.

The widening in the goods deficit was due mainly to a £3.6 billion increase in imports, as exports rose by a lesser £1.9 billion.

Trade in unspecified goods (including non-monetary gold) and chemicals had the largest widening effect on the goods deficit, which was partially offset by trade in cars in the three months to October 2018.

The trade in goods deficit widened £3.1 billion with non-EU countries and narrowed £1.4 billion with the EU in the three months to October 2018.

Removing the effect of inflation, the total trade deficit widened £3.0 billion in the three months to October 2018.

The total trade deficit widened £5.4 billion in the 12 months to October 2018 due mainly to a £5.1 billion narrowing in the trade in services surplus.