Business Insights and Conditions in Scotland (wave 156): 28 May 2026
Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) weighted Scotland data up to survey period 4 May to 17 May 2026 (Wave 156). 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 4 May to 17 May 2026 (Wave 156), the BICS asked businesses about their main concern for June 2026.
Figure 1: The top concerns for businesses for June 2026 were falling demand (12.0%), energy prices (10.4%) and inflation (9.8%); although an estimated 17.5% of businesses had no concerns.
Estimated share of businesses by main concern for June 2026. Businesses not permanently stopped trading, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Wave 156 (4 May to 17 May 2026).
Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 156 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 1 data see table ‘BusinessConcern’.
In the period 4 May to 17 May 2026 (Wave 156), businesses were asked how concerned they were about energy prices. An estimated 74.9% of businesses were very or somewhat concerned about energy prices, with this share rising to 86.7% for businesses in the Accommodation & Food Services sector and 87.7% 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 156 - 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