The index, which is published in partnership with the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions, showed the overall score for consumer confidence fell two points to -21, led by a six-point fall in outlook for the general economic situation in the UK for the year ahead, hitting -37.

Views of the general economic situation over the previous 12 months was up one point, however, to -43, albeit below the -42 seen in March 2025.

The major purchase index, which measures whether respondents feel the time is right to make a major purchase, was also down four points to -18.

There was less movement in attitudes to personal finances, with no change for views of people’s personal financial situation in the past year at -7, and a one-point fall in respondents’ perception of their personal financial situations in the year ahead, albeit remaining in positive territory with one point.

The savings index, which covers whether now is a good time to save money, was up six points to a positive score of 27.

The results are based on a nationally representative sample of 2,001 UK adults, with interviewing carried out between 2^nd and 16^th March.

Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK, said: “People simply do not feel the economy is robust enough to ride out the knock-on effects from the Middle East conflict.

“There are two major concerns for the future. First, the UK will need to adopt a careful and balanced response to the wider volatility we have seen since the end of February.

“Second, with growing concerns over further sharp price rises in the coming months, unless there’s a swift resolution to the conflict, or government schemes such as additional support with energy bills come into fruition, this ripple of fear we are seeing in the March data has the danger of turning into a flood.”