Cost of living crisis slows UK consumer spending but holiday bookings take off

People on a shopping street in Windsor. Retail sales across the UK fell by 0.3% in April. Photograph: Steve Parsons/PA

The UK’s soaring cost of living and last month’s record increase in household energy bills have slammed the brakes on consumer spending, retail sector figures show.

However, according to separate data, April was the strongest month for international travel spending since before the pandemic, as Britons took advantage of the easing of Covid restrictions to book foreign holidays.