Consumer expectations 'improved last month'

07/10/2009

Britain's consumers are feeling more confident about their personal finances, Nationwide has suggested.

The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index registered an increase last month, with expectations about the UK's economic prospects becoming more positive.

A six-point increase pushed the Index up to 71 points - an increase of 24 points from September 2008.

Meanwhile, 39 per cent of poll respondents told Nationwide that they forecast economic conditions to be improved in six months' time.

The proportion of respondents who expected conditions to worsen fell to 18 per cent, from 21 per cent in August.

Just over one in four (27 per cent) thought that there would be "more jobs available" in six months, up from the 15 per cent who said the same in January.

Mark Saddleton, Nationwide's head of economic and market analysis, said: "September saw a much stronger increase in overall confidence compared with recent months and the Index is now at its highest level since April 2008.

"Expectations for the future economic situation are also buoyant, with pessimism about the labour market situation starting to decrease."

Tags; Budgeting Advice, Young Family Finances, Credit Card Lifestyle, Recent Graduate Debt,

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