Economists are forecasting positive results for the next GDP figure with 0.1 per cent growth forecast, according to a leading think-tank.

The independent National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR) believes GDP will have grown 0.1 per cent in the three months to April.

This will follow March’s decline to 0.2 per cent which put Britain back in recession after recording two consecutive periods of negative growth.

A statement from the NIESR said: “The UK economy has experienced a modest increase in activity over the past couple of months but remains weak. With the economy stagnant the negative output is likely to widen further.

“We expect the economy to remain broadly ‘flat’ over the next six months. While significant downside risks persist, we expect economic recovery to begin to take hold in 2013.”

NIESR believes GDP growth will not reach its 2008 peak until 2014.

Members of the Monetary Policy Committee were less positive about future figures and chose not to make any changes to monetary policy this week.

The committee kept rates at 0.5 per cent and kept the size of the asset purchase facility at £325bn.