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Scottish Government estimates from Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) wave 165 show 78.5% of responding businesses were very or somewhat concerned about energy prices. The weighted estimates cover businesses with at least 10 employees and a presence in Scotland; responses relate to 21 September–4 October 2026.
Concern varied by sector: the estimate for transport and storage was 88.4%. The survey also found 36.9% reporting use of artificial intelligence, rising to 75.5% in information and communication. These are survey estimates, not a census of every Scottish firm.
For the next 12 months, 45.6% reported supply-chain concerns. International conflict and shipping disruption were among the leading reported factors, at 31.6% and 22.3%. The percentages describe respondents’ stated concerns and do not measure realised interruptions.
BICS is a repeated business survey and its weighted Scotland estimates use a defined respondent base. The release records reported conditions and expectations during its survey window; it does not establish that energy prices or supply constraints will follow a particular path.