November 2012
Featured in this insight: Business & enterprise, Electricity, Financial services, Gas
Market research sees UK businesses worried about energy supply: According to a new survey by the British Chambers of Commerce, UK businesses are becoming increasingly concerned about the availability and rising cost of energy.
Of the 3,500 businesses who took part in the study, some companies are already reporting problems with energy shortages – some 10% have experienced a cut in supply on five or more occasions in the past three years alone.
Overall, 59% of large businesses, 44% of medium-sized firms and 38% of small businesses said that energy security is set to become a “major concern” in the future.
The market research also demonstrated strong support for the Government’s current policy of creating a diverse energy mix – 90% of respondents agreed this will avoid future energy supply problems.
Nevertheless, the upcoming publication of the new Energy Bill has created controversy, since the coalition has been split over its content as well as the support it will give to renewables.
Finally, the survey found that businesses are also worried about their energy bills escalating, with 40% of the respondents claiming that rising energy costs have already adversely affected their progress.
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