UK goods exports suffer worst month in nearly five years

Fragile world economy takes toll on manufacturing as trade deficit widens to 3.4bn in July from 2.6bn in June

Fears are growing about the strength of Britain's economic recovery, after sharp falls in exports and manufacturing output offered the first evidence the global slowdown may be taking its toll.

Britain's overall trade deficit in goods and services widened to 3.4bn in July, from 2.6bn in June, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

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