LONDON (Alliance News) - UK households' finance outlook remained positive for the seventh straight month in April and their financial woes eased to the weakest seen for over six years, underpinned by lower inflation perceptions and improved market conditions, results of a survey by Markit Economics and financial information provider Ipsos Mori revealed Wednesday.

The seasonally adjusted Markit Household Finance Index, which measures overall perceptions of financial well being and aims to track consumer behavior, rose to 45.8 in April from 45.5 in the previous month.

A score below 50 suggests pessimism regarding finances among the UK households. However, the latest data pointed to the weakest squeeze on UK household finances since the survey began in early 2009.

The index measuring the outlook for financial well-being over the next twelve months, fell slightly to 50.7 in April from 51.8 in March. But still remained positive for the seventh successive month in April.

Workplace activity increased for the thirty-fifth month running in April, albeit the rate of growth eased to lowest level since November 2013. Income from employment expanded in April, though marginal overall. Households were more downbeat regarding their job security during the month.

Current inflation perceptions continued to ease in April, although slightly higher than in the prior month. Similarly, the index measuring expected living costs over the next twelve months much weaker than the long-run trend in April, despite the index rising to a four-month high of 76.5

The survey showed that approximately 54% of survey participants expect a rate hike by this time next year.

Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX