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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Larry Elliott

Trade deficit in danger of being sidelined in UK’s fight against inflation

Nigel Huddleston, wearing an orange hi-vis vest, takes a photo of a package that says: ‘Made in the UK, sent to New Zealand’ on the side
The trade minister Nigel Huddleston at Heathrow's DHL facility in May. Levelling up will require a comprehensive industrial strategy. Photograph: Jordan Pettitt/PA

Britain’s economy has barely grown for 18 months. The level of activity today is pretty much the same as it was when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and gave an added boost to already strong inflationary pressure.

The sideways drift is noteworthy in itself. Economies don’t very often have prolonged periods when they operate at stall speed; they either bounce back or slip into recession. Not since the late 1950s has the UK experienced anything like its recent torpor.

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