Britons have started life outside of the EU on a positive note after a closely-watched gauge of household confidence jumped to a record high. The survey, which measures how people feel about their financial well-being, saw the second-largest surge ever in February as worries about the economy and job security recede. IHS Markit’s household finance index leapt to a score of 47.6 from 44.6, hitting the highest level since the survey began 11 years ago. That still left the indicator in negative territory below the 50 mark, however. Expectations for future financial health over the next 12 months also soared to the highest level on record while households reported that inflation pressures are at their lowest for 40 months. “It appears that, instead of reacting in a knee-jerk fashion following December’s general election, household sentiment has lifted in response to positive economic-related news seen throughout January instead,” said IHS Markit economist Joe Hayes on the delayed rebound. He added the pick-up in confidence should “keep the Bank of England doves at bay and build optimism towards the UK"s immediate economic prospects”. Leading indicators, such as the purchasing managers’ index, suggest the economy bounced back in January after flatlining in a gloomy end to 2019. A weakening global backdrop and disruption from the coronavirus could threaten the rebound, however. "While the weakening in the global economy has reignited a downside risk to the UK economy, at the moment we don’t think it will derail the recovery in domestic activity that appears to be in train," predicted Paul Dales, a Capital Economics economist. The pressure on the housing market also appears to have been lifted by Boris Johnson"s electoral breakthrough after prices stagnated last year. Rightmove"s indicator suggested today that the acceleration in house price growth extended into February following a strong start to the year. Prices rose 2.9pc year-on-year to an national average of £309,399, falling just £40 short of an all-time high. The online property portal said demand by buyers was outstripping the number of new sellers entering the market. Miles Shipside, Rightmove analyst, said: "It’s the first time for over a year that we have seen any sign of a return of seller confidence, albeit lagging behind the surge in numbers of early-bird buyers."