Overview
- A Smart Energy GB survey of 500 small business owners published on Thursday found two-thirds have raised prices three or more times in the last five years and one in four plan another rise before summer ends.
- The survey reports average outgoings rose about 17% in the past 12 months and monthly energy costs are about 23% higher over five years, with supplier prices and energy bills the main reasons for past increases.
- Eighty-two percent of owners expect further price rises through 2026 while 88% say raising prices is a last resort and 86% have tried to absorb costs by cutting non‑essential spending, trimming profit margins or reducing owners' pay.
- Victoria Bacon of Smart Energy GB urged firms to use smart meters and energy tracking to spot savings, and a quarter of owners are already taking steps to cut energy use or renegotiate supplier deals.
- A separate OnePoll survey of 2,000 adults shows 54% have cut discretionary spending but 84% still prefer to support local independent shops, a tension that could put high‑street firms at risk if price sensitivity turns into lost sales.