BRITAIN'S trade gap widened in June as exports slumped, figures showed yesterday.
Economists said the figures highlighted the fragility of global demand, but also revealed that the UK "shut down" during the month as attention was focussed on the World Cup and golden jubilee bank holiday.
The figures, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), showed that Britain's goods deficit with the rest of the world widened to £3bn, compared with £1.8bn in May.
During the month, exports slid by 13 per cent to £14.9bn, while imports fell by five per cent to £17.9bn.
Exports to the US fell by 16 per cent, compared with a 15 per cent rise in May, while within the EU exports to France were the main area of weakness with a 16 per cent fall.
Economists advised against reading too much into the figures and the ONS cautioned that changes in work patterns caused by the jubilee bank holidays might have increased exports in May and reduced them in June.
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