Consumer confidence continued to decline in April 2026, according to the latest data from YouGov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). Headline figures fell from 105.8 to 102.4 (-3.4) as nearly every metric deteriorated. Any score greater than 100 indicates positive sentiment, while a score of less than 100 indicates negative sentiment.

Household finance metrics saw the most significant impact. Retrospective measures plummeted from 85.0 to 76.0: the lowest level since April 2023, and the largest month-on-month drop since February 2022. Outlook did not fare much better: measures for the forward-looking metric dropped from 85.6 to 77.0 – the lowest since July 2023.

Other metrics also told a pessimistic story. Homeowners grew less confident about house prices over the past 30 days, with retrospective scores falling from 113.3 to 110.0 (-3.3); outlook also dropped from 129.9 to 128.6 (-1.3).

Business activity measures also deteriorated. Workers were more likely to report slower activity over the past 30 days, with scores deteriorating from 108.5 to 107.0 (-1.5), and they were gloomier about the future, with outlook deteriorating from 117.8 to 113.7 (-4.1).

Employees were less positive about their retrospective job security, with scores falling from 116.1 to 115.6 (-0.5). The only positive movement in the entire index for April 2026 was worker’s job security outlook: scores for the next 12 months rose from 90.1 to 91.0 (+0.9).

April marked another month of declining consumer confidence in the UK, as the effects of ongoing conflict in the Middle East continue to filter through to the wider economy. Perceptions were negative almost across the board, with household finance metrics falling to levels only last seen during the 2022/23 cost of living crisis amidst renewed inflationary pressures, particularly for vehicle fuels.

The only metric to see positive movement across the index was the outlook for workers' job security over the next 12 months, which is more likely a reflection of the increased protections introduced in the Employment Rights Bill this month than it is a sign of improved hiring sentiment.