UK trade deficit widens unexpectedly

Britain's trade position deteriorated unexpectedly in July after imports increased more than exports, frustrating the coalition government's ambitions to rebalance the economy.

The trade in goods deficit exports minus imports widened to £10.2bn from £9.4bn in June, disappointing City expectations that the deficit would narrow to £9.1bn. It almost matched the largest monthly deficit on record, which was £10.3bn in April 2012.