UK consumer sentiment weakens in September - GfK
By Abigail Townsend
Date: Friday 19 Sep 2025
(Sharecast News) - Consumer confidence tracked lower in September, a long-running survey showed on Friday, as concerns about day-to-day costs mounted.
The latest consumer confidence index from GfK came in at -19. That was two points down on August, and one point higher than September 2024. Within that, all sub-measures were lower.
Looking ahead to the next 12 months, the personal financial situation index softened one point to 4, while the general economic barometer lost two points to -32.
The major purchase index shed three points to -16, while the savings index - which is not included in the overall score - tumbled 8 points to 22.
Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK, said: "There's an autumnal chill in the air this month.
"The August decrease in interest rates does not appear to have provided any obvious boost to the financial mood for consumers, or drawn attention away from day-to-day cost issues.
"Looking at the economy, sentiment is sliding sharply. In June 2024, our forward-looking measure stood at -11; just 15 months later it has slumped to -32."
A total of 2,003 individuals were surveyed between 1 and 11 September, just before the latest interest rate decision from the Bank of England.
It left the cost of borrowing on hold at 4% on Thursday, as it continued to battle sluggish economic growth alongside persistently sticky inflation.
Analysts are split as to whether the central bank will move to cut rates again this year or wait until 2026.
Further heaping pressure on consumer sentiment is the upcoming Budget, scheduled for the end of November, a month later than normal.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves wants to prioritise economic growth but she also needs to reduce soaring government spending and rising borrowing costs.
Most commentators increasingly believe she will need to include tax rises in the Budget, despite manifesto pledges.
The consumer confidence index, which is published jointly by GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions, has been running since 1974.
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