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By Chris Dorrell Looming tax hikes in the Budget have put consumers in a “despondent mood”, according to a survey, even as households have seen rising real wages on the back of lower inflation. Having been improving for most of the year, GfK’s overall consumer confidence index dropped slightly in October having fallen sharply in September. This took the index to -21, its lowest point since March. Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK, placed the blame for the decrease squarely on the Budget. “As the Budget statement looms, consumers are in a despondent mood despite a fall in the head…