UK sees brighter 2017, but prepares for Brexit slowdown later

London

BRITAIN has raised its forecasts for economic growth this year but is more downbeat about the following three years, finance minister Philip Hammond said in the first full Budget since the referendum decision to leave the European Union (EU).

Delivering his Budget statement just weeks before Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to kick off the process of leaving the EU, Mr Hammond said Britain's economy had "continued to confound the commentators" with its growth in 2016.

"As we start our negotiations to exit the European Union, this Budget takes forward our plan to prepare Britain for a brighter future," Mr Hammond told Parliament. "It provides a strong and stable platform for tho…