# UK consumer confidence falls at fastest rate since Brexit vote as cost of living bites

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/uk-consumer-confidence-falls-at-fastest-rate-since-brexit-vote-as-cost-of-living-bites/
- Published: 2026-10-23T07:25:57+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T08:08:24+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/oct/23/uk-consumer-confidence-falls-fastest-since-covid-cost-of-living
- Topics: Business, Elections, Middle East, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Confidence dropped 11 points to -24 in October.
- It was the sharpest fall outside the pandemic since 2016.
- Higher energy costs may prompt households to cut spending.

## Summary

UK consumer confidence fell by 11 points in October to -24, its sharpest monthly decline outside the Covid pandemic since the 2016 Brexit vote. The drop points to renewed concern about household finances and the economy as rising prices and the Middle East war add pressure ahead of the chancellor’s budget.

GfK said confidence in both personal finances and the wider economy weakened, while its major purchase index fell 14 points to -22, suggesting households may cut spending over winter. Inflation reached 3.5% and the government deficit was £24.5bn; typical household energy bills could rise to £2,000 a year from January, while households have paid almost £14,000 in additional costs over five years, according to the TUC.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.