Only 23% of companies feel positive about the current UK economy, with 66% of respondents believing that it will not improve over the next six months and 22% believe it will actually worsen, according to a new survey.

Charterhouse Research conducted a new business confidence survey among british businesses, 3,126 businesses were surveyed between April and June 2011 ranging from start-ups to companies with a turnover of £1 billion.

28% of UK businesses believe the UK economy will improve, while 44% believe it will be the same as now.

However, when asked for an outlook on their own business prospects, responses were more positive, with 46% believing they will experience growth over the next six months and with only 7% predicting a decline.

Mark Dennis, director at Charterhouse Research, said: “Our study has shown that despite all the economic doom and gloom