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Business concerns over costs hit record highs as AI adoption accelerates
UK businesses are increasingly worried about rising operating costs, with concern over both energy and fuel prices reaching their highest levels since the Office for National Statistics (ONS) began tracking them.
The latest ONS data came as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that the UK economy would expand faster than expected - 1.3% in 2026, up from the 1% it predicted in July. But like the ONS, it said that despite encouraging figures, higher energy prices and interest rates will hit the economy in 2027.
The findings suggest UK businesses are facing a combination of rising cost pressures, ongoing supply chain uncertainty and growing climate-related concerns, while at the same time accelerating their investment in AI technologies.
ONS data for late September 2026 show that 72% of businesses were concerned about energy prices, the highest proportion recorded since the question was introduced in March 2026. The accommodation and food services sector reported the greatest level of anxiety, with 91% of firms expressing concern.
Worries about fuel costs were even more widespread. Nearly three-quarters of businesses (73%) said they were concerned about increases in fuel prices, the highest figure since the measure was introduced in May 2026. Businesses in the transport and storage sector were particularly affected, with 60% describing themselves as ‘very concerned’.
Supply chain questions
International conflict emerged as the most commonly cited risk to supply chains, with 32% of businesses mentioning it, along with shipping disruption at 21%. Almost half (48%) of businesses employing 10 or more people reported concerns about at least one factor that could affect supply chains, including climate issues, over the next year. While this was little changed from August, it was 17 percentage points higher than a year earlier.
Concerns about environmental risks are rising, with 41% of firms expressing worries about the potential impact of climate change on their operations. This is the highest level recorded since February 2023.
AI use increases
The ONS found use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to grow rapidly across the economy. Around 30% of businesses reported using at least one form of AI technology in September 2026, more than triple the 9% recorded when the question was first asked in September 2023. Adoption is particularly strong among larger organisations, with 51% of businesses employing 250 or more staff now using AI, compared to 19% three years ago.
Among AI users with at least 10 employees, administrative and clerical roles were most likely to be affected by the technology. Some 38% of businesses identified these occupations as the most impacted, up from 35% in June 2026 and 29% when the question was introduced in December 2025.
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