UK consumer confidence plummets to record low in September

The consumer confidence index dropped five points to -49 this month, according to research group GfK. Economists polled by Reuters had predicted a small rise to -42 this month, after the announcement of the £150bn energy package announced by the government. The index, which makes interviews in the first two weeks of each month, saw record low scores in four of five of the questions asked. The largest falls were in personal finances over the next year, which was down 9 points, and confidence in the economy over the next year, which was down eight points. The major purchase index,...