Britain’s services exports will more than double in the coming 15 years as new technologies combined with a more globalised economy allow UK firms to sell their services around the world, according to a forecast from HSBC.

The rise of an affluent middle class in countries such as India and China will increase demand for the financial services in which the UK specialises, while business services are also in higher demand.

Services now account for 44pc of British exports, up from 30pc in 2000. The UK makes up 7.1pc of global services exports, making it the second largest exporter.