Of 900 respondents to an online survey, the sum of those who were more optimistic about the outlook for the UK than three months ago minus those who felt more pessimistic was 31%. When the CISI last ran the survey in autumn 2014, the comparative figure was 19%.
The CISI has conducted the poll every six months since spring 2012. The confidence level expressed peaked in autumn 2013, with a sum total of 54%. It was 52% in the spring 2014 survey.
The election of the Conservative Government was a key feelgood factor among contributors. One suggested David Cameron’s administration would provide “a business-friendly environment supporting economic growth” while another said it was good news for the “continued effort to reduce inflation, do without borrowing, increase UK exports, invite investment and create more jobs.”
Another respondent praised Bank of England Governor Mark Carney for “leading the country in the right direction”.
Concerns about the economy raised included the level of debt burden. One respondent said: “The debt issue is being normalised rather than dealt with. Painting over cracks does not fix the wall.”
Another voiced concerns over the risks of a property market crash, saying: “100% mortgages, low rates of interest, the Government-backed Help to Buy scheme keeping property prices higher, rather than letting them drop back in line with wages. It feels like 2006 all over again...What could go wrong?”
Take part in the latest CISI survey at cisi.org