The UK’s current account deficit widened to GBP 18.4 billion (2.4% of GDP) in the fourth quarter of 2025 from a revised GBP 10.7 billion in the previous quarter but was below market expectations of a GBP 23.4 billion shortfall. The primary income deficit increased to GBP 2.7 billion, or 0.3% of GDP, from GBP 0.7 billion in the third quarter, as payments to foreign investors rose by GBP 2.6 billion to GBP 111.1 billion, outpacing the GBP 0.7 billion increase in receipts to GBP 108.4 billion. In addition, the goods trade deficit expanded to a record GBP 65.5 billion from GBP 59.4 billion in the prior quarter, whereas the services surplus decreased slightly to GBP 53.3 billion from GBP 53.5 billion. Meanwhile, the secondary income deficit narrowed to GBP 3.6 billion (0.5% of GDP) from GBP 4.1 billion (0.5% of GDP) in the previous period.