Consumer confidence has tumbled following a “tumultuous” month of Budget speculation, figures show.

Consumer expectations for the state of the economy over the next three months have fallen significantly to minus 44, down from minus 35 in October, according to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Opinium .

With Christmas approaching, public expectations of spending – both on goods other than food and across wider spending – fell.

However, households said they expected their spending on groceries to rise to its highest level since the survey began in 2024 as they prepare for Christmas during a period of high food price inflation.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “It has been a tumultuous month of Budget speculation and consumer confidence took a tumble.

“Stro

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