The World Bank has upgraded its forecasts for UK growth over the next three years against a stronger global backdrop that will boost the British economy despite its weak start to the year.

Economists at the Bank expect the UK economy to grow by 1.7pc this year. This is only slightly below last year’s expansion of 1.8pc, and up from a forecast of 1.2pc in January.

This is only slightly below last year’s expansion of 1.8pc, and up from a forecast of 1.2pc in January.

Ahead of a UK general election this Thursday that will shape Britain's future outside the European Union, growth for 2018 and 2019 was also upgraded to 1.5pc a year, up from previous projections of 1.3pc.