The confidence of the United Kingdom consumer has fallen to its lowest level since the peak of the crisis of the cost of life in December 2022, since households feel the tension of the new Donald Trump rates, the current war in Ukraine and a raft to the new data tax and the price.
The last confidence tracker of the consumption group fell into seven points to -53, which reflects a generalized concern both in the economy and in personal finances. Almost two thirds of consumers (64%) believe that the United Kingdom’s economy will deteriorate during the next year, while only 11% are optimistic to improve.
The data reflect other warnings on the increase in anxiety between the homes of the United Kingdom. According to GFK, April brought a “perfect storm” or pressures that include higher public services, municipal taxes, road taxes and bell taxes, aggravated by global instability and new Conns on the rebound of inflation due to commercial policies.
The survey, conducted in the month to April 11, found that 67% of the people attributed their pessimism to global events such as the Russia-Ukraine War and Trump’s reciprocal rates, while 63% cited increasing prices and 60% change of pointed taxes.
Domestic financial perspectives also deteriorated sharply, with confidence in future domestic finances that fell into 10 points to -19, the lowest level since July 2023. Trust also fell into six points to +21.
Approximately 1.9 million households lost at least one essential payment in April, including rental payments or mortgages, public services invoices or loan reimbursements. The lost rental rate increased to 4.7%, reflecting the continuous compression of the tenants.
It is estimated that 13 million homes (46%) were forced to make at least one financial adjustment in the last month to cover basic costs such as energy, housing, edible, school supplies or medications. These adjustments included reducing the essential elements, immersing themselves in savings, selling belongings or walking in debt. Although it improved slightly 51% in March, the figure remains high.
Rocio Concha, director of policy and defense in which? He urged the government to take measures to restore trust and protect consumers from predatory practices.
“Consumer protections give people confidence to spend,” he said. “Whether it establishes the online scammers, detach the dishonest merchants or supply deceptive commercial practices, the government must do more to place consumers in the center of their plans to grow the economy.”
With Trump tariffs threatening to increase the prices of imported goods and interrupt even more global supply chains, analysts fear that the current slide in trust can be valid. The International Monetary Fund has already reduced its growth prognosis of the United Kingdom by 2025, and the Office of Budget Responsibility has warned about possible tens of billions in the loss of production if global commercial tensions intensify.
As millions of British households remain with tight budgets, the path to economic recovery can defend both consumer confidence and increase GDP. For now, perspectives remain clouded by both international uncertainty and internal policy decisions.
Jamie Young
Jamie is a senior reporter of Business Matters, who brings more than a decade of experience in commercial reports of the United Kingdom. Jamie has a business administration title and participates regularly in conferences and industry workshops. When he does not inform about the last business development, Jamie is passionate about the mentoring of promising journalists and businessmen to inspire the next generation of business leaders.
