LONDON, Nov 24 Reuters British consumers have turned more optimistic about the outlook for the economy and their personal finances this month but their mood remains a long way off preCOVID levels, market research firm GfK said on Friday.

Despite lingering costofliving pressures, GfK39;s headline consumer confidence index was stronger than anticipated in November, increasing to 24 from October39;s threemonth low of 30.

November39;s reading was above the 28 forecast in a Reuters poll of economists, and follows a sharp fall the month before.

The sixpoint increase was the biggest monthonmonth improvement since March to April although Friday39;s reading was still much weaker than just before the coronavirus pandemic hit Britain.

Recent ups and downs in confidence have underlined the nation39;s topsyturvy economic mood as encouraging news about falling inflation and wage growth is offset by high personal taxation, alongside costly fuel and energy bills, Joe Staton, GfK39;s client strategy director, said.

Britain39;s economy has suffered stagnating growth but GfK39;s measure of how consumers view the economy in the 12 months ahead increased to 26 from 32 in October while feelings about the outlook for their personal finances rose by five points to 3.

The Bank of England, which has held interest rates at 5.25 at its last two meetings after 14 consecutive increases, is closely monitoring upside risks to inflation. Financial markets are almost certain rates have peaked, but…