"Following a small dip at the end of 2009, consumers have started this year in a more optimistic fashion with February's figures showing a surge in confidence in both the present and future situation. A strong influencing factor behind this uplift is likely to be the news that the UK has come out of its longest recession on record following six consecutive quarters of contraction beginning in 2008. By comparison, it would seem that consumers are perhaps feeling the pinch in their spending power as confidence declines in this area, and we may now be seeing the effects of the withdrawal of government driven incentives, such as the stamp duty holiday and lower VAT, impact on the index. Consumer confidence is crucial to a strong and sustainable recovery and, while confidence is likely to remain fragile for some months to come, the early signs do look positive."