A survey assessing several major areas of pensions and retirement has revealed a “regional confidence gap” in pension attitudes, according to Retirement Review.

The survey of 3,000 UK consumers found that the North East was the least trusting of financial advisers, with just 13 per cent saying they “strongly trust” them, the lowest margin of any region in the UK and well below the UK national average of 20 per cent.

Overall, the North East had a net trust rating of 63 per cent, below the national average of 69 per cent - a significant gap suggesting a regional disparity, the Retirement Review claimed.

When it came to digital engagement, 18 per cent of North East respondents said they found smartphone apps "very useful" for saving into a pension, well above the UK average of 12 per cent and second in the UK, behind only Northern Ireland (20 per cent).

Retirement Review and Carr consulting & communications director, Matthew Morris, warned that the figures suggested people across the UK may be “missing out” on the benefits of professional advice and digital tools that could help boost their retirement outcomes.

“The research also highlights a broader trend of digital under-engagement in some parts of the country - a potential challenge as the industry continues to modernise,” he added.

Meanwhile, the survey also revealed that, more than any other part of the UK, the North East of England felt local banks were important for pension savings, with over one in five respondents (21 per cent) saying “very useful”, compared to the UK average of 12 per cent.

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