'No major change' in consumer sentiment despite new Budget measures and easing living costs

Survey found that ongoing squeezes in personal finance and longstanding shortfalls in health and housing remain at the forefront of consumers' minds

Loading platform made of scaffold system on housing development construction site

Consumer sentiment improved modestly in October as reduced nervousness about job loss and a slight easing in cost of living pressures combined with new Budget measures to boost confidence.

The Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index recorded a reading of 74.1 in October, up slightly from the 71.9 reported in September.