Confidence rises as unemployment falls
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Consumer confidence is booming on the back of falling unemployment levels, rising household finances and optimism that inflation is under control, according to a survey published yesterday, writes Michael Harrison.
The latest quarterly consumer bulletin from Business Strategies, compiled before yesterday's quarter-point hike in rates, shows a significant rise in levels of optimism compared with both the July survey and figures from a year ago.
David Fell, director of Business Strategies, said that consumers in most regions expected household finances to improve over the next year and high street spending to increase as worries over unemployment recede.
The survey shows that optimism is highest in Wales, Yorkshire, and Humberside, London and Northern Ireland.
Consumers in the North, East Anglia and East Midlands were not so optimistic but the difference between the top and bottom regions was not great, Mr Fell added. "Consumers are feeling pretty good almost everywhere."
The balance of those feeling optimistic as opposed to pessimistic about the economic outlook is 23 per cent against 16 per cent in the last quarterly survey was made in the summer.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments