Following a positive morning session, the FTSE 100 was up 103 points at 6,441 shortly after the US opened, erasing losses seen earlier in the week.

Over in the US, both the Dow and the S&P 500 are also higher, both climbing 1.3% by 3pm UK time as debt deal talks reportedly turn more positive.

UK investors were initially buoyed by the Bank of England’s decision to leave rates and QE unchanged, the Monetary Policy Committee’s inaction suggesting the recovery which has been taking hold has not been derailed.

The latest from the US has since lifted shares further, with House Republican leaders poised to visit the White House later to try and break the impasse that has left parts of the U.S. government shuttered for more than a week.

Investors continue to expect a deal on the debt ceiling to be agreed by the initial 17 October deadline, although any miss could cause a sharp sell-off according to market participants.