|
Fears about the war on Iraq pushed British consumer confidence to its lowest level in seven years, according to a survey whose results were released on Friday.
The survey by Martin Hamblin Gfk was conducted between February 27 and March 18, two days before the start of the war when most people in Britain had assumed it was a foregone conclusion that the war would take place.
The Gfk Consumer Confidence Barometer, compiled on behalf of the European Commission, questions people's attitudes to the general economy and to their own economic situation.
The consumers' confidence to spend money is key to maintaining a vibrant economy.
The barometer fell to a reading of negative 10 in March, down from negative nine in February and negative three in January.
It is now at its lowest level since December 1995 when it stood at negative 11.
The British stock market moved lower after the figures were released. In the morning session at 1130 GMT, the FTSE 100 index in London stock market dropped 24.8 points to 3704.30 points.
(Xinhua News Agency March 28, 2003)
|
