The latest YouGov/Cebr consumer confidence index (conducted 1st-24th March) dropped 2.9 in March to 105.8. Any score greater than 100 indicates positive sentiment, while a score of less than 100 indicates negative sentiment. This is the biggest fall since April last year, when the US announced the “Liberation Day” tariffs. The index is now at its lowest point since December 2023.

People’s forward-looking perceptions of their household financial situation fell by 9.4 to 85.6, which is the largest monthly drop since August 2022. Their view of their household finances over the past thirty days dropped 4.5 to 85.

The public’s view of how house prices will develop over the next year fell by 4.9, although that measure is still in positive territory at 129.9.

Employees were also less likely to report feeling secure in their roles over the past 30 days, with scores falling from 92.6 to 90.1 (-2.5). Their perceptions of the future also worsened, with scores dropping from 117.6 to 116.1 (-1.5).

Business activity metrics were the only ones that did not worsen. Employees reported increasing confidence in activity at their workplaces over the past 30 days, with scores rising from 107.8 to 108.5 (+0.7). Outlook did not change: scores were 117.8 in March, as they were in February.