Business · 4 hours ago

UK Consumer Confidence Falls at Fastest Rate Since Covid

Hugh Venables, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

UK consumer confidence dropped 11 points to -24 in October, the steepest monthly fall outside the pandemic since the 2016 Brexit vote, according to GfK. Rising prices, with inflation at 3.5%, higher fuel and energy costs and the Middle East war have wiped out summer optimism. The slump piles pressure on Chancellor John Healey before next Wednesday's Budget, when he has promised 'breathing space' measures.

By BriefTea Editorial · 23 October 2026 at 6:03

Reported by The Guardian · How we write briefs

Get the app

More briefs

BusinessUS seeks to block American money for Chinese and Russian AI and supercomputing firms WorldElon Musk reportedly puts $1bn into Skydance, the new owner of CNN BusinessBig US banks are blocking outside AI agents from customer accounts BusinessMeta shares drop 7% and Nasdaq falls 2.6% on AI spending worries BusinessDeloitte's bringing 100 jobs up north. BusinessSainsbury's chief Simon Roberts urges Chancellor not to hit businesses with more tax More business stories → Browse all stories →