Autumn Statement 2014: Osborne dealt blow as UK economic optimism slumps

UK voters have become more pessimistic about the economy over the last nine months, according to a poll by YouGov for The Sun.

The survey found that 32% of respondents, questioned in March, thought that the economy would get worse, compared with 23% in December 2013.

The research also revealed that the number of people who think that the economy will improve is down from 39% to 25%.

The figures will be a blow for George Osborne ahead of his Autumn Statement.

The Chancellor is also expected to announce that Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) data shows that the Treasury has missed its deficit forecast.

Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander urged Osborne to "finish the job" of clearing the country's deficit

The Liberal Democrat warned that "several tens of billions" more savings were needed by 2017/18.

"There will be further work to be done on completing the job, finishing the job of eliminating the structural deficit. That will be several tens of billions of pounds more," Alexander said.

"But in the context of what we have done so far this Parliament, it is a further effort but it is a smallish – it's maybe another third or so, a quarter, of that effort that needs to be carried on in the years up to 2017/18 which is when we have said we want to eliminate the structural deficit by.

"We have to stay that course. To deviate from it would be to undermine one of the foundations of the economic recovery that we have been seeing."

George Osborne is delivering his Autumn Statement at 1230 GMT on 3 December in the House of Commons.

Britain's main opposition also added that Osborne has failed to deliver on his 2010 general election promise to clear the deficit.

"Osborne has failed to balance the books," said Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls.

"Unless growth is strong and wages are rising for working people the deficit doesn't come down. Without a plan for jobs and work, it's not going to work."