Research shows Brits happier about finances

Britons are growing evermore positive about their financial futures, a new survey has revealed.

According to the University of Bristol’s Personal Finance Research Centre, which carried out the study alongside Ipsos Mori on behalf of Genworth Financial, a shift towards optimism regarding monetary difficulties and the future was recorded among UK households.

Almost a quarter – 24 per cent – expected their positions to improve over the next year, a figure that peaked at 15 per cent in 2008.

Those believing their situations would get worse fell to 13 per cent for 2009, compared to 36 per cent a year ago.

Overall, the poll revealed that Britain scored ten points, meaning that the country is still considered financially vulnerable, although this number has fallen from the 23 points it registered in autumn 2008. A negative score on the index relates to financial security.

However, these results are in direct contrast to those recently collated by the British Retail Consortium, which found that an increasing number of people are worried about debt.

According to the study, 15 per cent consider this to be their biggest concern at the moment.

By Sarah Adie