https://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Business-Seller-Board/UK-Retail-sales-down-1-1-in-October/m-p/7960661#M340441 <P>I noticed that my 'news feed' has started ramping up the 'fear/worry' stories about a 'surprise' increase in energy prices in January and 'unlimited' Council Tax increases for next April.</P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>While the media continues with its doom and gloom messages about the next few months, I can't see people who are already hard pressed by food and energy price increases rushing to spent their shrinking disposable income on anything but basic necessities.</P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>To me the the biggest threat spending is the continuing freeze on Tax Allowances.&nbsp; If it's extended yet again, nothing will improve.&nbsp; Too many people on pensions, benefits, minimum wage (or just above) are not seeing any real increase in their disposable income from year to year.&nbsp; Most of any increase set by the govt. has already been taken by price increases, the rest will disappear before they get it by the increase in the tax take.&nbsp;</P> Fri, 21 Nov 2025 09:30:56 GMT theelench 2025-11-21T09:30:56Z