European growth forecast raised to 1.1% after winter recession avoided

Europe’s growth forecast has been raised (Niall Carson/PA)

The European Union’s executive body has raised its economic growth forecast, saying Europe has dodged a winter recession that was feared amid an energy crisis.

The outlook for the 20 countries using the euro currency improved to growth of 1.1% this year from 0.9% in the previous predictions in February, the European Commission said in its spring forecast.