The majority of UK brokers expect the "gloomy" sentiment in the country’s economy to continue at least until 2014 with some not expecting a return to positivity until 2016.

A survey of brokers conducted by specialist lender United Trust Bank found 73% did not expect a "bright" economic sentiment until 2014 or 2015 while a further 8% saw negative sentiment holding out until 2016. Just 14% of respondents predicted outlook to turn next year.

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The same survey also revealed that 66% of brokers expect the Bank of England, the UK’s central bank, to keep the base interest rate at 0.5% until 2014 or later.

33% of those interviewed expected interest rates to increase in 2014, while 22% believed that rates will remain unchanged until 2015.

A further 12% expected rates to increase in 2016 or later with 8% predicting that the rate will come down further before it goes up again.

Commenting on the research findings, Harley Kagan, managing director of United Trust Bank, said: "The Bank of England has held its base rate at 0.5% for an unprecedented 43 consecutive months and according to the majority of the broker community we’re unlikely to see a change for at least another year.’

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"Under the leadership of new Governor Mark Carney it is expected that the Monetary Policy Committee will continue with its low interest rate policy. Borrowers will no doubt hope that when he takes over the role in June 2013 he steers a similar course to his predecessor, whilst savers would welcome their nest eggs working a little harder."