UK consumer sentiment plunges amid Iran war

Fiscal risk: As the war rages on in the Middle East, a car drives past a petrol station in London. Around eight in 10 Britons say they are concerned that the conflict will see the price of food, fuel and energy bills rise, and impact their personal finances. — AP

LONDON: UK consumer sentiment has dropped sharply since war broke out in the Middle East, according to a new survey, as the global consequences of the conflict start to take their toll on economies such as Britain’s.

An index tracking confidence in the United Kingdom fell to a four-month low in March, reversing gains made at the start of the year, Barclays said yesterday.