The latest consumer confidence data is at the top of this article, with earlier months further down the page.
September: Biggest drop in household confidence measures since April
- Overall index decreased by 0.2
- Retrospective (-2.2) and forward-looking (-5.7) perceptions of household finances drop significantly
- Business activity measures improve over September (+1,5), and for the next twelve months (+2.7)
The latest YouGov/Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) Consumer Confidence Index recorded a declineof -0.2 points in September, with headline measures decreasing from 106.4 to 106.2. Any score greater than 100 indicatespositive sentiment, while a score of less than 100 indicates negative sentiment.
Household finance measures recorded their first drop since April this year, with retrospective figures falling from 87.7 to 85.5 (-2.2). Outlook for the year ahead saw even greater fall, from 89.6 to 83.9 (-5.7).
On a happier note, business activity measures were positive. Workers have noticed more activity over the past 30 days, with scores rising from 107.8 to 109.3 (+1.5), while forward-looking measures saw an uptick of 2.7 points, rising from 1157.7 to 120.4 (+2.7).
Perceptions of job security over September improved from 91.5 to 92.6 (+1.1), and looking ahead to the next 12 months, from 117.3 to 117.4 (+1.1).
Finally, perceptions of house prices went up over September. Scores for the past 30 days went from 111.6 to 111.9 (+0.3), while outlook increased from 128.1 to 128.5 (+0.4).
Sam Miley, Head of Forecasting and Thought Leadership at CEBR, said:
Consumer Confidence August 2026: Overall index increases amid rising optimism around business activity
- Overall YouGov/Centre for Economic and Business Research (Cebr) consumer confidence index rises (+0.9)
- Both forward-looking (+ 2.5) and retrospective (+2.9) business activity measures increased in August
Consumer confidence increased by 0.9 points movement in August 2026, according to the latest data from YouGov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). Headline figures increased from 105.5 to 106.4 (+0.9) in the first full month of Andy Burnham’s tenure as Prime Minister.
It was another month of positive movements in Britons’ perceptions of their household finances. The measure looking at the past thirty days went up 0.8, from 86.9 to 87.7. Their outlook for the next 12 months increased 1.1, from 88.5 to 89.6. While these moves are positive, it is worth noting that both measures are in negative territory overall.
Mood among workers was more mixed. Business activity measures were more positive, with retrospective and forward-looking business activity measures increasing last month. Scores for the past 30 days increased from 104.9 to 107.8 (+2.9), while outlook jumped from 115.2 to 117.7 (+2.5).
But workers were less enthusiastic about their job security, with measures for the past 30 days showing a drop of -0.8 points from 92.3 to 91.5 to 104.9, while the forward-looking metric saw an increase from 116.1 to 117.3 (+1.2).
House price measures only saw small movements. Retrospective measures moved from 114.6 to 111.6 (+.0.2), while outlook declined slightly from 128.5 to 128.1 (-0.4).
Sam Miley, Head of Forecasting and Thought Leadership, Cebr, said: “The recent increase in the YouGov/Cebr Consumer Confidence Index was broad-based. The business activity components were the main drivers, off the back of data showing robust growth in the first half of the year. The metric is also showing ongoing momentum. Not since early 2024 has confidence recorded such an extended sequence of improvement. There do remain headwinds, however, notably from inflation and continued geopolitical uncertainty.”
Consumer Confidence July 2026: Headline figures see little movement, but confidence in household finances improves
- Overall index rises (+0.2)
- Retrospective household finance measures improve (+2.9), as does outlook (+3.3)
- Workers less confident about business activity (Past 30 days: -3.3, outlook: -1.5).
Overall consumer confidence saw incremental movement in July 2026, according to the latest data from YouGov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). The index rose from 105.3 to 105.5 (+0.2) in a month that saw a mixture of positive and negative stories.
Newly minted Prime Minister Andy Burnham has some cause for celebration: both retrospective and outlook household finance measures saw upticks for the third month running. Retrospective scores rose from 84.0 to 86.9 (+2.9), while outlook jumped from 85.1 to 88.5 (+3.4). Recent ONS Consumer Price Index data indicates that inflation has been falling lately, although it is speculated that energy bill increases could impact this for the worse.
Less encouragingly, workers were more likely to report slowing business activity in July 2026. Measures for the past 30 days showed a drop of -3.4 points from 108.3 to 104.9, while outlook dropped from 116.7 to 115.2 (-1.5). They were more positive about their own job security. The retrospective metric saw an increase from 92.1 to 92.3 (+0.2), while outlook rose from 115.3 to 116.1 (+0.8).
Finally, measures tracking house prices were divided. Homeowners were more optimistic about prices over July, with scores for the past 30 days rising +0.6 points from 110.8 to 111.4 (+0.6). But measures for the next 12 months were less positive, with scores falling from 130.0 to 128.5 (-1.5).
Methodology
YouGov collects consumer confidence data every day, conducting over 6,000 interviews a month.
Respondents answer questions about household finances, property prices, job security and business activity, capturing their views on the past 30 days and on their forecast for the coming 12 months.
Results are presented as scores. A score of <100 represents a negative score; a score of 100 represents a neutral score; a score of >100 represents a positive score
