People’s perceptions of their job security in the past month reached the lowest level since August last year, according to the latest data from YouGov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). The measure currently sits in negative territory at 92.6, down 1.1 since January. However, they are more optimistic about the year ahead, with the forward-looking job security measure going up 1.3 to reach 117.6.

Any score greater than 100 indicates positive sentiment, while a score of less than 100 indicates negative sentiment.

The overall consumer confidence index increased by 0.8 to 108.7. The increase was driven primarily by improvements in forward-looking perceptions of house prices and personal finances.

The improvement in confidence so far this year has coincided with a sharp deceleration in inflation. However, a major risk has since emerged in the form of escalating conflict in the Middle East. The ensuing volatility in commodity markets and potential for pass through to UK consumer prices could damage financial perceptions in the months ahead.

“Meanwhile, beneath the headline increase in the confidence metric, job security perceptions have reached their weakest level in six months, in a further sign of the loosening labour market evidenced by official publications.”

Briton’s view on their household’s financial situation for the next year increased by 3, to 95. This comes on top of last month’s 4.5 increase, indicating a significant improvement in sentiment at the beginning of 2026, although it is still in negative territory.

There are signs that people are gaining confidence in the housing market, as perceptions of forward looking home values went up 3.2 to reach 134.8. This is the third consecutive monthly increase in this measure.

Perceptions of forward-looking business activity were still in positive territory at 117.8, but they declined 2.8.