Overall consumer confidence saw incremental movement in July 2026, according to the latest data from YouGov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). The index rose from 105.3 to 105.5 (+0.2). Any score greater than 100 indicates positive sentiment, while a score of less than 100 indicates negative sentiment.

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has some cause for celebration: both retrospective and outlook household finance measures saw upticks for the third month running. Retrospective scores rose from 84.0 to 86.9 (+2.9), while outlook jumped from 85.1 to 88.5 (+3.4).

Less encouragingly, workers were more likely to report slowing business activity in July 2026. Measures for the past 30 days showed a drop of -3.4 points from 108.3 to 104.9, while outlook dropped from 116.7 to 115.2 (-1.5). They were more positive about their own job security. The retrospective metric saw an increase from 92.1 to 92.3 (+0.2), while outlook rose from 115.3 to 116.1 (+0.8).

Finally, measures tracking house prices were divided. Homeowners were more optimistic about prices over July, with scores for the past 30 days rising +0.6 points from 110.8 to 111.4 (+0.6). But measures for the next 12 months were less positive, with scores falling from 130.0 to 128.5 (-1.5).

Sam Miley, Head of Forecasting and Thought Leadership, Cebr, said: “Despite the improvement in the Consumer Confidence Index in July, it should be noted that it is still firmly down relative to a year ago. Indeed, this is the case across all but one of its constituent metrics, highlighting the relatively widespread pressure on UK households.

“Addressing the cost-of-living is a clear, early priority for the incoming Prime Minister and the decision to cut VAT on energy bills may well give consumers a small boost. However, it will take much more to address longstanding pessimism regarding consumers’ financial situations, with this metric having hit a three-year low as recently as April.”