UK current account balance as a percentage of GDP

1 1967 - Labour government devalues pound

 

2 1974 - Three-day working week and impact of oil shock

 

3 1981 - Surplus as North Sea oil comes on stream and Thatcher recession squeezes imports

 

4 1988 - Economic boom under chancellor Nigel Lawson

 

5 2011 - A weaker pound helps exports and downturn cuts imports

 

6 Q4 2015 - Record current account deficit of 7% of GDP

6

3

5

4

2

1

2015

2005

1995

1985

1975

1965

1955

4

2

0

-2

-4

-6

-8

5 2011

A weaker pound helps exports and downturn cuts imports

 

6 Q4 2015

Record current account deficit of 7% of GDP

3 1981

Surplus as North Sea oil comes on stream and Thatcher recession squeezes imports

 

4 1988

Economic boom under chancellor Nigel Lawson

1 1967

Labour government devalues pound

 

2 1974

Three-day working week and impact of oil shock

6

3

5

4

2

1

2015

2005

1995

1985

1975

1965

1955

4

2

0

-2

-4

-6

-8