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Consumer confidence records new survey highs in 2014

22nd December 2014 Print

In the lead up to the festive season, consumer confidence has increased to reach its highest score since the start of the index, climbing three points to 154, according to Lloyds Bank Spending Power Report. November also saw sentiment increase 12 points towards the UK’s economic situation from last month to 295 points, representing an annual  jump of 79 points from the same time last year. Sentiment towards the current situation also climbed five points to 191. However, consumer confidence towards the future situation has remained static at 116, with the rate of overall improvement flattening off for the second half of the year.

For essential spend, the continued decline in petrol prices has played a part in average spending being 6% lower than this time last year, saving consumers £69 on average. In addition, gas and electricity bills continue to fall at around 6% with a £80 saving on average, equating to an annualised decrease in spend of almost £150 per household for Gas and Electricity. Slightly warmer conditions throughout the year have also helped keep gas and electricity bills low.

Patrick Foley, Chief Economist at Lloyds Bank, said: “Falling fuel prices and reduced consumption of gas and electricity are now adding up to a noticeable reduction in the cost of essential spending. Together with job security continuing to improve, particularly for those who say that money is tight, this bodes well for an improvement in households’ disposable incomes and a continuation of 2014’s robust economic growth in 2015.”

Current situation

Consumer sentiment towards the country’s financial situation improved six percentage pointsin November with the balance of opinion at -30%, up 23 percentage points from this time last year, although still negative overall. Greater London continues to be the most positive region and increases seven percentage points to -2%. However, the gap between the other regions widens with the closest region, East Midlands 20 points behind at -22%.

Feelings towards the housing market have increased to -10%, up five percentage points from this time last year and four percentage points from this time last month. There is a notable increase of opinion across the East Midlands to 4% from -9% in October and Greater London at 3% from -10% in October. South West has seen the biggest increase this month, up 17 percentage points since last month to -4%. Northern Ireland is now the most negative at -34%, down 13 percentage points from last month.

Attitude towards the current employment situation has remained broadly stable since August at -18%, however, there is still a 32 percentage point increase compared to November 2013. Greater London has returned to a positive balance this month, increasing six percentage points to 6%. After being the lowest scoring region last month at -44%, Yorkshire and Humberside have seen the biggest improvement of 18 percentage points to -26%.

Consumers’ sentiment about their own personal financial situation is at its highest level since the start of the survey in 2011, with an eight percentage point improvement from last month at 21% and a 14 percentage point increase from this time last year. Greater London has seen a notable 23 percentage point increase from last month, making it the most positive region at 36%. Scotland currently holds the lowest opinion towards their personal finances at 8%, down 10 percentage points from last month.

Greg Coughlan, Director of Personal Current Accounts at Lloyds Bank said: “The improvements we have seen over the course of the year are of great benefit to consumers. With consumer confidence at an all time high for the end of 2014, this will hopefully help bolster spending into the new year. As sentiment improves, we know that customers are looking for ways to help make their money go further, which is why we will continue to reward customers with current accounts that help them achieve this.”

Future situation

The balance of opinion on future discretionary income between those feeling they will have more versus less money in the next six months remains stable since June at 6%. Despite more consumers feeling they will have more money in the future (23%) than less (17%), the majority feel they will have the same (56%). South West has seen the biggest increase in opinion, up 21 percentage points to 13%. Greater London continues to have the most positive opinion at 19% and Northern Ireland has the least positive at -7%, down three percentage points from last month.

Sentiment towards future saving has seen a slight decline of two percentage points and returns to levels seen in September at 12%, however, compared to this time last year, opinion is up six percentage points. The North East has the most positive outlook at 22% with Greater London following at 20%. Wales and Northern Ireland are the least positive regions at -4%, seeing an 11 and 19 percentage point decrease respectively.

Meanwhile, the balance of opinion on future spending remains the same at -4% this month. Greater London and West Midlands hold the most positive sentiment towards future spending at 5% and 4% respectively, while South West is the least positive region at -12%.