Business Insights and Conditions in Scotland (wave 154): 30 April 2026
Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) weighted Scotland data up to survey period 6 April to 19 April 2026 (Wave 154). The BICS provides statistics on how current conditions are affecting businesses in Scotland, including impact on financial performance, workforce, trade and resilience.
Business Concerns
In the period 6 April to 19 April 2026 (Wave 154), the BICS asked businesses about their main concern for May 2026.
Figure 1: The top concern for businesses for May 2026 was energy prices (18.5%), followed by falling demand of goods and services (12.1%); although 13.7% of businesses had no concerns.
Estimated share of businesses by main concern for May 2026. Businesses not permanently stopped trading, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Wave 154 (6 April to 19 April 2026).
Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 154 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 1 data see table ‘BusinessConcern’.
In the period 6 April to 19 April 2026 (Wave 154), businesses were asked how concerned they were about energy prices. An estimated 80.1% of businesses were very or somewhat concerned about energy prices, with this share rising to 89.1% for businesses in the Accommodation & Food Services sector and 93.6% for businesses in the Transport & Storage sector. Data on concern about energy prices can be found in the ‘EnergyPricesConcern’ table in the Business insights and conditions in Scotland - data to Wave 154 - tables - time series Excel workbook.
Contact
For enquiries about this publication please contact:
Marina Curran
Business & Innovation Statistics
Office of the Chief Economic Adviser
email: industrystatistics@gov.scot
For general enquiries about Scottish Government statistics please contact:
Office of the Chief Statistician
email: statistics.enquiries@gov.scot