Alliance Trust: all-time low for UK households

The Financial Reality Index collates and analyses findings across a range of economic variables, from wage inflation and employment statistics to mortgage repayments and council tax. The latest report in the 11-year study cautions that in the remainder of this year household consumption must continue to slow to remain commensurate with the financial reality. During the first half of 2008, there was a negligible increase in household consumption despite the rising costs of food and energy, whilst debt levels soared and house-price growth slowed. However, the findings suggest that the...