BICS weighted Scotland estimates: data to wave 139

Latest main findings for businesses with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland

• in the period 18 August to 31 August 2025, 48.0% of businesses reported that their staffing costs had increased over the last three months; this is down from 77.1% reported in May 2025, but up from 36.7% reported in August 2024
• an estimated 28.3% of businesses are expecting staffing costs to increase in the next three months; this is down from 42.6% when businesses were asked in May 2025
• an estimated 13.1% of businesses are using or intend to use increased homeworking as a permanent business model, rising to 48.2% of businesses in the Information & Communication sector
• improved staff wellbeing was the most common reason for businesses using or intending to use increased homeworking as a permanent business model – an estimated 82.1% of such businesses gave this as a reason
• an estimated 11.2% of businesses were impacted by US tariffs in the last month, with this share rising to 22.9% for goods exporters
• an estimated 29.6% of businesses conduct online sales, rising to 81.5% of businesses in the Arts, Entertainment & Recreation sector

Note that the next BICS Scotland publication, with data to Wave 140, is scheduled for release on Thursday 25 September 2025.