UK Consumer Confidence Figures

The Consumer Confidence Index figure, based Research carried out by Martin Hamblin GfK on behalf of the European Commission, improved fractionally in July, by one point to -1, continuing a slow rise since April. Likelihood to make major purchases is up significantly, but is mostly cancelled out by a fall in the figure for savings intentions.

There has been little movement on other measures including perception of and expectations for personal finances.



Perceptions of personal finances over the last 12 months and expectations for their future have remained the same or hardly moved. Perceptions of the development of the general economic situation over the last 12 months remain at similar levels to the last 3 months: the index score is -27, up 1 point from last month. Still, over half of the sample, 52%, believe that the general economic situation has worsened over the past 12 months.

Expectations for the future of the general economic situation have risen quickly until June but have now dropped back a little, from -9 to -13 in July. Respondents asked why they expected this deterioration cited inflation, unemployment and low interest rates.

Perceptions of the benefits of making major purchases in the current climate have shown an increase of 7 points from +15 last month to +22 in July. This is also 1 point higher than July last year.

The recent improvements seen in the measure relating to the perception of the current savings climate have fallen back in July to -3, from +2 in June. However, this is still higher than June 2002 (-6).

The survey was conducted amongst a sample of 2001 individuals aged 16+ between 3rd and 22nd July 2003.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

• All news