More than a third of businesses (35%) have said that the heightened cost of energy is their greatest concern, as the effects of high inflation bite globally, according to survey data from working capital solutions business Taulia.

The research carried out amongst more than 500 senior financial decision-makers at large companies in the US, UK, Singapore and Germany, found that while heightened energy costs are most pronounced in Europe, they remain a key concern in all regions. Two in five businesses in the UK (41%) and Germany (39%) said energy costs were inflationary pressures having the greatest impact on their business, though almost a third (31%) of US decision-makers and just over a quarter (27%) in Singapore agreed.

The research found that an overwhelming four in five (83%) globally are concerned about the effects of inflation on their business, citing the cost of raw materials (29%), increased supplier (28%) and labour costs (26%) as key concerns.

Inflation concern is most pronounced in the US, where more than nine in ten (93%) financial decision-makers said that the impact of inflation on their business was a worry. The sentiment resonated globally, with nearly nine in ten (87%) agreeing in the UK and over four in five (83%) in Singapore.

Cedric Bru, CEO, Taulia, comments: “While the higher price of energy is most pronounced in Europe, it is a leading inflationary concern for businesses everywhere. The danger that higher energy prices will affect the cost of production and doing business is real and present in markets all over the world. In order to mitigate the consequences of higher prices and avoid supply chain logjams, it is incumbent upon leaders to ensure they have the financial facilities in place that allow them to smooth over this protracted period of disruption and keep the lights on until calm is restored.”