U.K. Exports, Construction Slump Raise Recession Risk: Economy

U.K. exports fell in April and construction slumped, highlighting the economy’s weakness as Bank of England Governor Mervyn King warns that the outlook is deteriorating rapidly.

Exports plunged 8.6 percent from March, the most in almost six years, pushing the trade deficit to 10.1 billion pounds ($15.7 billion) from 8.73 billion pounds, the Office for National Statistics said today. Construction output dropped 13.2 percent, it said in a separate report.