GETTY Figures show that spending in the UK is up since Brexit

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In the latest set of figures to defy the defeated Remain doom mongers, a survey from the British Rail Consortium and accountants KPMG showed total retail sales were up 1.9 per cent in July compared with a year ago. It followed figures from credit and debit card firms Visa and Barclaycard confirming that shoppers kept spending last month in the wake of the Brexit vote. And in a further boost, separate statistics showed that fight bookings to the UK have soared by 7.1 per cent since the referendum.

The triple blast of positive economic data appeared to demolish concerns that consumer confidence has dipped as a result of the Brexit vote. It was seized upon by Brexit campaigners as evidence that the vanquished Remain campaign's "Project Fear" had been proved to be wrong. Ukip MP Douglas Carswell said: "If you look at the hard data, it is good news. The Vote to leave the EU has been followed by a Brexit boom."

GETTY Promotions and warm weather could have helped boost sales

The MP pointed out that any surveys suggesting a dip in consumer confidence may be the result of concerns raised by the BBC and other broadcasters. "The only reports that have been negative have been those that talk about sentiment - perhaps the broadcast coverage can explain that," he said. Discounts and summer sunshine kept shoppers spending last month, according to the British Retail Consortium-KPMG survey.

GETTY Douglas Carswell said that the data was 'good news'

The Vote to leave the EU has been followed by a Brexit boom Douglas Carswell MP

Retailers bucked expectations and boosted sales thanks to a "heavy month of promotions", the survey said. Warmer weather in July saw shoppers splash out on picnics and barbecues, helping food sales rise 0.8 per cent between May and July. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Rail Consortium, said UK households were still happy to spend because little had changed materially following Britain's decision to ditch the European Union. However, she questioned whether retailers would be able to translate their success into full-price sales in the coming months.

London Brexit Protest Continues Thu, February 2, 2017 Brexit protest: Thousands take to London's streets in pro-EU protest 'March for Europe'. Play slideshow PA 1 of 11 Remain supporters demonstrate during the March for Europe rally in Parliament Square, London

The research also found that overall UK sales climbed 1.1 per cent between May and July. David McCorquodale, head of retail at KPMG, said the warmer weather helped blow away some of the post-referendum blues. He said fashion sales rose "markedly" in July compared to June, as the sunshine inspired shoppers to add to their summer wardrobes. "Sales of jewellery and watches also improved as international consumers took advantage of the weaker sterling to splash out on more expensive purchases. "This first full month of retail sales figures post-vote suggests that UK shopping patterns haven't changed versus previous years," he added. Figures from credit and debit card firm Visa showed that spending by shoppers grew at 1.6%, the fastest rate since the beginning of the year during July.

GETTY People have also been booking flight to and from the UK

Separate data from Barclaycard showed consumer spending rose 2.6 per cent to the end of last month, down from a 3.6% rise between May and June. The study revealed that shoppers continued to spend strongly on restaurants, pubs and cinemas following Britain's vote to leave the EU. ForwardKeys, a firm which monitors transactions in the travel industry, showed the increase in flight bookings to the UK.

In the 28 days before the 23 June poll, flight reservations were running 2.8 per cent behind the same period last year. In the month after the Brexit decision, they were up 4.3 per cent. Demand for travel to the UK was strongest from the US, Canada and the Far East. Bookings from Europe were up 5.0 per cent, buoyed by the pound's fall against the Euro following the referendum. Non-European arrivals were up by an even bigger margin, increasing 8.7 per cent.

The 10 per cent drop in the value of sterling after the referendum sharpened interest in the UK as a holiday destination from countries around the world, the firm said. Bookings from Hong Kong rose 30.1 per cent, the US was up 9.2 per cent, Canada was up 7.4 per cent and the United Arab Emirates was up 7 per cent. The most favourable exchange rate in decades is probably the major driver for the uptake in bookings to Britain. During the analysed period, ForwardKeys identified “positive" and “passive" reactions from source destinations after the Brexit referendum.