Consumer confidence increased in May 2026, according to the latest data from YouGov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr).

The headline figures rose to 104.9 (+2.6)*, which is the largest monthly increase since May 2021. Any score greater than 100 indicates positive sentiment, while a score of less than 100 indicates negative sentiment.

The increase was largely driven by an improvement in people’s perceptions of the health of their household finances. Retrospective measures went up from 76.0 to 82.5. That is the largest monthly increase (6.5) since May 2020. The forward-looking measure went up 5.7, from 77 to 82.7, although that should be seen in the context of two significant monthly declines in March (-8.6) and April (-9.3).

Briton’s perceptions of house prices also improved in May, with retrospective scores increasing from 110.0 to 114.0. Outlook also increased from 128.6 to 130.5.

It was not all good news. The retrospective business activity measure deteriorated for the second month in a row, going from 107.0 in April to 104.7 in May (-2.3). However, workers were more optimistic about the upcoming month, with outlook increasing from 113.7 to 115.5 (+1.7).

Employees were less positive about their job security, with scores falling 0.2 from 91 in April to 90.8 in May. However, the forward-looking measure went up from 115.6 in April to 118.7 in May (+3.1).

May's increase in the Index is a welcome sign following two consecutive months of relatively stark falls. Notably, the improvement in perceptions of household finances comes amidst a lower-than-expected inflation reading for April, though the fact that both household finances measures remain in negative territory continues to underscore the underlying headwinds affecting the UK economy.

*all figures are rounded to a single decimal place, including the increase. For example, the headline Consumer Confidence Index figure for May 2026 is 104.92, and the figure for April was 102.37. That means the increase was 2.55, which is rounded to 2.6