UK Consumer Morale Rises to Three-Month High in March
(Reuters) - British consumer morale ticked higher for a second month running in March as people turned a little more optimistic about the economic outlook, although less so over their own finances, a survey showed on Friday.
The GfK Consumer Confidence Index rose to -19 from -20, a three-month high but still below the survey's long-run average of -10.
Its measure of how consumers view the economy over the next 12 months increased by two points to -29.
Overall the survey added to a run of mixed data for finance minister Rachel Reeves, who is likely to announce more spending cuts next week when she outlines new economic and budget forecasts.
Confidence among consumers and businesses slid last year after the new government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it had inherited a troubled economy and Reeves raised taxes on employers to fund higher public spending.
"The current stability is to be welcomed but it won't take much to upset the fragile consumer mood," said Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK.
The poll of 2,005 Britons aged 16 and over took place between February 28 and March 13.
(Reporting by Andy Bruce; editing by Suban Abdulla)
