All five measures tracked in the index increased compared with the previous release, published on 19^th February.

The measure tracking people’s expectations of their personal finances over the next 12 months increased by six points to 10 – seven points higher than the score in March 2020 and the highest level it has been for three years.

Expectations for the country’s general economic situation during the next year also rose, with that measure increasing by 13 points to -17. While still in negative territory, this score is 10 points higher than 12 months ago.

The March increase marks the third month of improving overall index scores since the start of the year.

The major purchase index, which tracks whether people think it is a good time to be spending money on more expensive items, also rose by eight points, however this is nine points lower than it was at the same time last year.

Joe Staton, client strategy director at GfK, said: “Spring is in the air on the back of well-received budget announcements, the successful vaccine roll-out and roadmaps in place for ending lockdown.

“The scores looking ahead one year are recovering especially well. If this improved mood translates into spending, it might help reverse some of the economic damage the UK has suffered. And the eight-point fillip in our major purchase measure to -11 suggests this may well happen. It’s highly likely this upward trajectory on all measures will build over the next six months and beyond.”

Interviewing for the UK Consumer Confidence Barometer was carried out between 1^st-12^th March, among a sample of 2,000 individuals aged 16+.