Consumer confidence has tumbled amid rampant speculation about what the chancellor will announce in the budget, figures show.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) blamed "strong hints" from the government of income tax hikes for the public's falling expectations of how much they'll spend over the next three months - even as Christmas beckons.
While a planned increase in income tax rates was scrapped last week, Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out freezing income tax thresholds - which the Conservatives argue amounts to a tax rise by stealth because it drags people into paying higher rates even if their wages increase.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said months of uncertainty had "heightened public concern about their own finances and the wider economy".
Consumer expectations for the state of the economy over the next three months have fallen significantly to minus 44, down from minus 35 in October, according to data from the BRC and Opinium.
Ms Dickinson said action was needed from Rachel Reeves to "bring down the spiralling cost burden facing retailers", which she said would "keep price rises in check".
Read more: Inflation eases but food costs rise
Signs of 'fragile' recovery in jobs market
In slightly more encouraging news for Ms Reeves ahead of her statement next Wednesday, new research suggests the jobs market may be on the up.
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation said the number of new job adverts last month was 754,359, up by 2.1% from September, taking the total to more than 1.6 million.
Ms Reeves's decision to hike national insurance contributions for employers in last year's budget was blamed for a slowdown in the market, and a rising unemployment rate.
The report said there has been an increase in adverts for medical radiographers, delivery drivers and couriers, and further education teaching professionals.
But it warned the apparent recovery was "fragile".
Reeves set to back DLR extension
One man looking forward to the budget is Sir Sadiq Khan, who has welcomed reports that London's DLR is set to be given funding for an extension.
According to the Press Association, the chancellor will back an extension to the Docklands Light Railway to Thamesmead at a cost of £1.7bn - unlocking thousands of new homes.
Thamesmead has been notoriously short of public transport links ever since it was developed in the 1960s.
The plan would see the line extended from Gallions Reach, near London City Airport, and include a new station at Beckton as well as in Thamesmead itself.
Sir Sadiq said the DLR extension "will not only transform travel in a historically under-served part of the capital but also unlock thousands of new jobs and homes, boosting the economy not just locally but nationally".
It is also expected to unlock land for 25,000 new homes and up to 10,000 new jobs, along with almost £18bn of private investment in the area.
(c) Sky News 2025: Budget 2025: Consumer confidence falls as speculation ramps up - but London mayo
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