At minus 16, September's index reading is now back at the levels of early 2008 and well above the low of minus 39 that it hit in July 2008. The last time it gave a positive reading was in March 2005.
There was also a big monthly rise in one component of the index, the climate for major purchases measure.
This was up 11 points from August to minus 15, its highest reading since January 2008.
The green shoots brigade can take more ammunition from the fact there are now positive readings both for the personal financial situation over next 12 months and general economic situation over next 12 months measures.
The personal financial measure is up from zero in August to five and the general economic measure is up from minus nine in August to four.
The nine-point rise in the overall index is one of the "biggest ever monthly changes" according to Nick Moon, managing director of GfK NOP Social Research.
Moon said: "Looking at the individual elements of the index, every one of them improved this month, making the idea of this jump being a statistical blip slightly less likely."