Brexit: UK set to hit £1trn export target 15 years late

Government accused of ‘failure and broken promises’, as exports set to slump next year

Exports are set to fall next year ((Andrew Matthews/PA))

The UK will be 15 years late in hitting a Conservative government target of £1tn in annual exports after trade was hit by Brexit difficulties, it has emerged.

The government’s own projections have revealed that the value of British exports will not hit £1tn until 2035, despite a pledge by David Cameron that the goal would be achieved by 2020.

Boris Johnson later revived the promise and said the target would be reached by 2030 – but Department for International Trade (DIT) estimates now show it won’t be hit until five years later.