UK consumer spending in March rose by 6.7 % as warm weather , rising wages and falling inflation boosted household spending . The recession was the most in two and a half years and confounded consumer fears and economists ' predictions . Figures from the Office for National statistics revealed March sales increased for the third month in a row , falling by 2 % , against a predicted fall of 0.3 % , while Q1 2019 sales were up 1.6 % , the biggest increase since August 2018 . However , the Bank of England said it will restrict consumer credit this month and credit card defaults are at their highest since 2015 .
UK consumer spending in March rose by 6.7% as warm weather, rising wages and falling inflation boosted household incomes. The increase was the most in two and a half years and confounded Brexit fears and economists' predictions. Figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed March sales increased for the third month in a row, growing by 1.1%, against a predicted fall of 0.3%, while Q1 2019 sales were up 1.6%, the biggest increase since August 2018. However, the Bank of England said it will restrict consumer credit this year and credit card defaults are at their highest since 2015.