Economy heading in wrong direction, say gloomy Brits

MOST people believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, in the latest sign of rising gloom about the state of the economy.

- Mauricio Alencar

In all, 76% of voters are pessimistic about the future of the nation, according to a poll. That is the highest level since polling began in January.

Fewer than one in five people (19%) reckon the UK is heading in the “right direction”.

The fresh research has uncovered the pervasive despondency across the nation as unemployment surges to a post-pandemic high, borrowing costs remain elevated and fears have spread that the Government will hike taxes on workers.

Polling by City AM/Freshwater Strategy also showed that, compared with results in September, a higher number of people believe the economy would worsen. Around 59% said they expected it to deteriorate, a rise of three percentage points.