I’ve heard two interpretations of this data. That we’re all so worried about the cost of living and energy that we’re already sticking everything on the never-never, just in case. Or that it’s a sign of ‘consumer confidence’, that we’re still happy to spend, spend, spend and blow the consequences. The consequence for many last time around was to join the booming ‘we’ll get rid of your credit card debt in one easy voluntary arrangement (and you’ll probably never get a loan again)’. And the rise and fall of the payday lenders who rushed to fill that particular gap. So these could be pieces we’ll be picking up for many years to come, another can for this year’s PM to kick down the road for the next, no doubt.
“Advice firm Almond Financial moves to four-day working week”
The Four Day Week was much discussed and trailed post-COVID, when remote-working looked likely to end strap-hanging commutes for good and laptops on the kitchen table were to become the ’new norm’.