U.K. household finance index rises to 45.0 in December

Markit Economics and financial information provider Ipsos Mori released its household finance index (HFI) for the U.K. on Wednesday. The household finance index increased to 45.0 in December from 44.1 in November.

The increase was partly driven by a rise in workplace activity and income from employment.

The index measuring the outlook for financial well-being over the coming twelve months decreased to 49.4 in December from 50.4 in November.

The current inflation perceptions index declined to 61.7 in December.

The index measuring expected living costs over the twelve months was down to 78.4 in December from 80.0 in November.

61% of respondents expects the Bank of England's monetary policy to tighten in 2015.

"Markit's HFI survey painted a mixed picture in December. On the one hand, the strain on current finances eased to one of the weakest in the series history, helped by relatively low inflation perceptions and further improvements in the labour market. In particular, growth of workplace activity quickened, while worries about job security abated," economist at Markit, Philip Leake, said.