Jobs fears darken consumer mood

CONSUMERS are increasingly nervous about losing their job as pressure mounts on the Government to offer some reassurance before budget day.

The mood of Irish consumers darkened during September with the KBC/ESRI consumer sentiment index falling to 53.3 — the poorest reading since February, from 55.8 in August.

Experts said the result underlines the “persistent pressure” Irish consumers face from an uncertain economic outlook and a near certain worsening in household spending power after another tough budget in December.