Growth in UK exports ahead of Europe rivals

Export growth in the UK continues to outperform that experienced by Europe’s other largest economies, boosted by the pound’s weakness, according to data published today.

Accountant and business adviser BDO said the UK’S export growth index rose to 110.3 for the fourth quarter of this year, up from 107.9 in the previous three months and hitting a nine-month high.

The UK is on course to record the fastest rate of growth for its total exports in comparison with Europe’s other leading economies, with Germany, for example, seeing its index falling to 101.7 from 102.4 in the fourth quarter and expected to see a slowdown.

However, BDO partner Peter Hemington said the UK’S current high confidence “could quickly disappear” as the postbrexit landscape unfolds.

The UK Government must “ensure open and simple access to the global markets, otherwise it risks the growth of our exporters in the longer term”.