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Story summary
- UK households cut back on spending in April 2026, with card spending down 0.1%—a decline from November 2024—and purchases falling 0.3% as travel spending dropped 5.7%.
- Fuel purchases jumped 10.4%—the biggest rise since Dec 2022—while essential spending rose 0.3% and digital subscriptions grew 9.2%.
- A survey found UK retail sales fell 3% in April, 72% expect Middle East conflict to affect 2026 cost of living and confidence in spending at 49%.
