UK trade deficit remained worryingly large in February

The UK's total trade deficit improved slightly in February, but "remained worryingly large" economists said.

Britain's overall trade deficit for printed at £4.8bn, according to government figures.

In the same report, the deficit for January was revised higher from a preliminary estimate of £3.5bn to £5.2bn.

Total UK exports did rise by 0.7% month-on-month, but in terms of quarterly rates of change were down by 1.7%.

Exports of traded goods excluding oil rose by 1.4% over the month.

"The overall trade deficit remained worryingly large [...] the hope has to be that UK exporters will increasingly be helped by the recent substantial weakening of the pound," Dr. Howard Archer, chief European+UK economist at IHS Economics said in a research note sent to clients.