A poll of 96 members of the association shows that 70 per cent expect the economic environment to get worse in 2008, with 56 per cent saying they believe that the UK economy will grow by just 1 to 2 per cent in 2008.
The proportion of firms viewing the UK as an attractive place to do business fell by almost 25 per cent over the previous quarter, down from 93 per cent in September 2007 to 70 per cent.
At the same time 71 per cent expect the regulation burden to increase, while 86 per cent believe taxes will go up.