Figures show rise in consumer confidence.

(From Belfast Newsletter)

Byline: Staff reporter

The Gfk NOP Consumer Confidence Index increased this month by four points to minus 18 -- the first time Gfk NOP saw an increase since February.

Confidence was lifted across the survey, including improvements in confidence in personal finance situations in the previous and forthcoming 12 months, as well as confidence in the general economy.

Nick Moon, managing director of Gfk NOP Social Research, said: aoeOverall, consumer confidence has been in constant decline for the last five months and a further fall would have made a double-dip recession seem a very real prospect. The Government will …