UK consumer confidence slipped for the second month in a row in March, a closely watched survey found today Pollsters GfK NOP revealed that its main consumer confidence index dropped to -7 from -4 in February. In January, the index stood at -3, its highest level since July 2005 The reading is below analysts' expectations for no change at -4 The data suggests that consumer spending on the high street may not recover as fast as some expect despite gains in indicators such as house prices "Consumer confidence is faltering anew, which does not bode well for spending in the near term at least," said Howard Archer at Global Insight. He said that recent announcements of sharp rises in utility bills and a weakening labour market have probably weighed down significantly on sentiment. "Certainly, consumers have become more pessimistic about the overall economy and their personal finances," he added.