UK confidence jumps ahead of EU competition
THE NUMBER of people suggesting the economy is in good shape has risen more over the past year in the UK than any other large country in the European Union.
As the UK finally records growth again, the proportion of people who think the economy is in a good position more than doubled in the year to July, from 11 to 23 per cent. France, Spain and Italy recorded six, five and four per cent respectively.
German consumer confidence remains much more buoyant at 69 per cent, but sentiment has risen by only one percentage point in the last year, while the UK’s has risen by 12.
Ipsos Mori’s Simon Atkinson commented: “There is little cause for celebration, but the British public are certainly feeling a little better than a year ago – something we are yet to see among our cousins in France, Spain and Italy”.
According to Lloyds’ barometer, business confidence in August is the strongest since February 2010, with 63 per cent of businesses more optimistic, than they were three months ago. The British Chambers of Commerce has also raised its expectation for the UK’s economic growth today to 1.3 per cent for 2013, and 2.2 per cent for 2014.