CONSUMER confidence slid further last month with downbeat assessments over jobs and the economy, a new report indicated today.
Nationwide said its Consumer Confidence Index fell a further six points in December, following on from the nine-point slump in the previous month.
Faith in the future performance of the economy was down, with confidence in the economic and employment situation over the next six months at a low following a six-point fall.
The proportion of consumers who believe there will be fewer jobs available by mid-2007 rose to 36% - its highest level.
Confidence in the current economic environment also plummeted in December.
Nationwide said that over the last three months of 2006, a steadily increasing proportion of people were concerned about the economic landscape.
Despite this, people still remain relatively upbeat about their own finances - 85% think their household incomes will be the same or better in six months' time.
The picture for spending confidence was less rosy, the building society reported.
It said that for the third year in a row, consumers felt reluctant to make major purchases such as a home, car or washing machine in December, possibly preferring to wait for the January sales.
The Nationwide Spending Index fell by its largest ever margin in December, putting further pressure on retailers.
