Economy worries swirl after 'painful' Budget warning

Getty ImagesThe longest-running measure of consumer confidence fell sharply in September, raising concerns about whether government rhetoric about Budget "pain" has spooked people.GfK's Consumer Confidence Index had been recovering after years of rolling crises, higher interest rates and inflation gradually creeping up.But since the end of August, it fell by seven points to -20 overall, which GfK has said does…