An overwhelming majority of businesses fear the economic situation will get worse before it gets better, according to a survey.

A recent poll of Thames Gateway Chamber of Commerce members across Swale, Medway, Dartford and Gravesham found that while most firms back Government spending cuts, they accept that they face considerable pain.

Just over 88 per cent fear that things will get worse before they get better. Sixty-per cent expect the cuts to hurt them, while just over half anticipate a double-dip recession.

Only 14 per cent believe the cuts will help their business, but more than half (55 per cent) reckon it is the correct strategy. Nearly 63 per cent think the cuts are "about right", with 21 per cent thinking them "too harsh."

Opinions are evenly divided about the Big Society, with 46.5 per cent claiming to understand the idea, but 48.8 per cent saying they don't.

Paul Price, chamber director, said: "The results of this survey show that on the whole our members are happy with the way the government has moved to restore the economy, but accept that they face a long and tough road to a full recovery.

"It's particularly telling that while a large percentage of respondents said they expected the measures to directly hurt their business, a similar amount said they thought it would help the economy as a whole."

It was encouraging to see how well members had accepted the need for cuts, he added. The chamber would be announcing a range of new activities, support and events to "help our members get back to pre-recession levels as soon as possible."