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The overall index of consumer confidence
compiled by Lloyds Bank eased one percentage point to 145, data
showed on Monday, with spending on gas and electricity around
2.5 percent lower than a year ago.
Spending growth on essentials remained stable at around 1
percent higher than in June 2013.
The easing of the Lloyds index follows a slip in June of the
monthly Household Finance Index compiled by data firm Markit.
Growth in total retail spending also fell in June to the lowest
rate since May 2011, according to the British Retail Consortium.
The possibility of the Bank of England raising interest rates
was cited as a factor in both the Markit and BRC reports.
Labor market data last week suggested the economic recovery
remains robust.
The number of people in employment rose to a record 30.643
million in the three months to May while the jobless rate fell
to 6.5 percent from 6.6 percent a month earlier - though pay
growth was weaker than expected.
(Reporting by Tess Little; editing by William Schomberg and John
Stonestreet)
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