Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which industries have seen a reduction in exports since 31 January 2020; and what proportion those exports have reduced by.

UK trade statistics experienced higher levels of volatility between 2019 and 2022, due to the pandemic, global recession, supply chain disruption, EU Exit, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, price inflation, and data collection changes. Hence the department uses 2018 as the most recent stable baseline when comparing trends over time. Over this period (2018 to 2023) and after adjusting for inflation, UK exports of services rose £44bn (13%) and exports of goods (excluding precious metals) fell £45bn (-12%). With goods exports to the EU down £22bn (-13%) and down £22bn (-12%) to non-EU countries.

Changes in UK exports by commodity groups and service types are published by the ONS in their monthly UK trade publication. In 2023 compared to 2018, UK GDP increased by £80bn (4%) in real terms. This was driven by an £84bn (5%) increase for the services sector. We have not estimated how much of this was due to any change in exports.