Consumer confidence in the UK remained static in September 2025 despite mixed signals from household financial optimism and housing market perceptions, reflecting ongoing uncertainty amid inflation concerns and policy debates.
Consumer confidence in the UK remained static in September 2025, holding steady at an index score of 107.7, identical to the previous month. This data, derived from ongoing surveys conducted by YouGov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), reflects a nuanced picture of public sentiment. While overall confidence did not improve, notable shifts were observed in specific areas: household financial optimism declined significantly to near two-year lows, while perceptions of the housing market and job security registered modest gains.
The sharpest drop came in the outlook for household finances, which dipped from 92.4 to 89.1. Retrospective evaluations also fell slightly, indicating growing unease about past financial conditions. This pattern appears to align with recent commentary from Bank of England policymaker Catherine Mann, who observed that the public remains “scared to spend,” impacted by persistent and volatile inflation. Mann’s concerns about sustained inflationary pressures have been echoed in official Bank of England forecasts, which project inflation may endure due to weak productivity growth and rapidly rising wages. This scenario, referenced in the BoE’s August Monetary Policy Report, suggests inflation may not return to target levels until around mid-2027, highlighting a challenging economic outlook.
Contrasting the cautious financial outlook, homeowners’ views on property prices showed increased confidence. Scores for past 30-day house price perceptions rose from 114.0 to 117.1, with the outlook also improving slightly. Similarly, workers exhibited reduced pessimism about job security, with retrospective job security scores rising from 92.3 to 93.3 and prospective outlooks nudging upward as well, suggesting some resilience in employment confidence despite broader economic concerns.
Business activity perceptions were mixed, with recent 30-day assessments showing a slight improvement, though expectations for the year ahead declined modestly. This ambivalence reflects ongoing uncertainty in the economic environment, with policymakers divided on the best path forward. Bank of England Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden recently cautioned against maintaining high interest rates for too long, warning that it could depress output and employment, potentially driving inflation below target in the longer term. Breeden counters Mann’s more hawkish stance by suggesting that recent inflation increases are likely to be temporary rather than a sign of entrenched inflation.
This cautious but mixed sentiment among UK consumers contrasts with trends observed in other major economies. For example, in the United States, consumer confidence declined more sharply in September amid growing worries about job availability, as noted by the Conference Board and the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers. These declines, driven by fears of a weakening labour market and persistent inflation concerns, underscore the global nature of economic anxieties amid lingering inflationary pressures.
The divergence of views within the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, where members weigh the risks of inflation against those of economic slowdown, reflects the complex balancing act faced by policymakers. Governor Andrew Bailey has affirmed that interest rates will eventually fall, but caution remains due to inflation persistence and economic uncertainty. Policymakers like Mann emphasize continuing risks to inflation due to wage pressures and weak productivity, while others, including Deputy Governor Clare Lombardelli and Megan Greene, urge careful assessment of inflation shock assumptions and the pace of any rate reductions.
Overall, the UK consumer confidence data for September 2025 paints a picture of restrained optimism filtered through the lens of economic caution. Declines in household financial sentiment and steady caution regarding business futures temper more positive readings in the housing market and employment outlook. This mixed sentiment, coupled with ongoing policy debates and inflation concerns, underscores the delicate economic environment consumers and policymakers navigate as they anticipate the trajectory of inflation and growth in the coming years.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1] (YouGov), [2] (Reuters)
- Paragraph 2 – [1] (YouGov), [2] (Reuters), [7] (Reuters)
- Paragraph 3 – [1] (YouGov), [4] (Reuters)
- Paragraph 4 – [1] (YouGov), [4] (Reuters)
- Paragraph 5 – [5] (Reuters), [6] (Reuters)
- Paragraph 6 – [2] (Reuters), [4] (Reuters)
- Paragraph 7 – [1] (YouGov), [2] (Reuters), [7] (Reuters)
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release from YouGov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), dated October 21, 2025. Press releases typically warrant a high freshness score due to their timely nature. No earlier versions of this specific content were found, indicating originality. The data presented aligns with the latest available information, with no discrepancies noted.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
Direct quotes from Bank of England policymaker Catherine Mann are included. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from a Reuters article dated September 30, 2025. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, suggesting originality. The wording of the quotes matches the Reuters report, with no variations noted.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from YouGov, a reputable organisation known for its data collection and analysis. The inclusion of direct quotes from Bank of England policymaker Catherine Mann, as reported by Reuters, further enhances the reliability of the information presented.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are consistent with recent economic data and statements from Bank of England officials. The data on consumer confidence and inflation aligns with other reputable sources, such as Reuters and AP News. The language and tone are appropriate for the topic and region, with no inconsistencies noted.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and sourced from reputable organisations. The information presented is consistent with recent data and statements from Bank of England officials, with no discrepancies or signs of disinformation identified.
Supercharge Your Content Strategy
Feel free to test this content on your social media sites to see whether it works for your community.
