Boris Johnson was given a pre-election boost today as the UK economy shrugged off recession fears in the third quarter.

The official estimates for July to September showed UK PLC grew 0.3 per cent, recovering from a 0.2 per cent dip in the previous three months.

It means that Mr Johnson has escaped the spectre of a technical downturn - defined as two successive quarters of shrinkage.

However, annual growth is still running at just 1 per cent, the slowest rate since 2010.

A spokesman for the ONS said: 'GDP grew steadily in the third quarter, mainly thanks to a strong July.

'Services again led the way with construction also performing well. Manufacturing failed to grow as falls in most industries were offset by car production bouncing back following April shutdowns.

'The underlying trade deficit narrowed, mainly due to growing exports of both goods and services.'

The official estimates for July to September showed UK PLC grew 0.3 per cent, recovering from a 0.2 per cent dip in the previous three months

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tastes whisky during a general election campaign visit to Diageo's Roseisle Distillery near Elgin, north east Scotland on Thursday

Economic forecasts have moved erratically due to the fluidity of the Brexit deadlines, at one time March 29, shifting to October 31 and most recently a 'flextension' to January 31.

Despite the improved outlook, last week credit ratings agency Moody's gave a dim view of Britain's sovereign rating, blaming Brexit-related policy.

'It would be optimistic to assume that the previously cohesive, predictable approach to legislation and policy-making in the UK will return once Brexit is no longer a contentious issue, however that is achieved,' Moody's said in a strongly-worded statement.

Moody's said Britain's £1.8trillion ($2.30trillion) of public debt - more than 80 per cent of annual economic output - risked rising again and the economy could be 'more susceptible to shocks than previously assumed.'

Chancellor Sajid Javid went on the attack yesterday, saying that the only way to remove the uncertainty was to elect the Tories on December 12.

Rolling three-monthly GDP growth has now returned to levels not seen since the first Brexit deadline in March, the ONS said

'The number one thing they point to is this paralysis in decision making, and that is coming from what was a very dysfunctional parliament,' Mr Javid said when asked about the Moody's report.

He also attacked the Labour Party's 'reckless' spending plans that he said would trigger an economic crisis within months, citing a dossier published by the Conservatives.

The future path of Britain's economy, the world's fifth largest, has been at the centre of the election campaign in recent days, with both parties pledging higher spending, but arguing over the scale of investment needed and how to pay for it.

Chancellor Sajid Javid went on the attack yesterday saying the only way to remove the uncertainty holding the economy back was to a Tory government on December 12

The Tories have warned Mr Corbyn (pictured with shadow chancellor John McDonnell last week) would wreck the economy

Liberal Democrat finance spokesman and deputy leader Ed Davey said: 'Today's growth figures are anything but a cause for celebration.

'Over the last year, Britain's growth has slowed to its lowest rate in almost a decade - a disastrous performance by the Conservatives, whose main economic policy of Brexit is a promise of yet more slow growth.

'The economy under the Tories is anaemic. Brexit has already cost us at least £55billion in lost growth and will keep us under-performing for years.

Just last week the credit rating agency Moody's downgraded the UK's economic outlook. And the Bank of England said growth will be a whole 1 per cent lower in the coming years.'