Almost three-quarters of small business owners 'stressed at work'

Seven out of ten small business owners are stressed at work, a new survey has revealed. Rising energy bills (22 percent) and inflation levels (23pc) are the primary causes of anxiety, according to the poll of 2,000 small business owners by Love Energy Savings (LES).

The Bolton-based firm help companies compare prices with several trusted suppliers using its comparison engine. In a new survery conducted on their behalf, a staggering 85 percent of 18-34-year-olds who run their own small business said they were worried at work, while more than a third (37pc) of the more than 2,000 respondents claimed to be ‘extremely stressed’ or ‘very stressed’.

It comes despite reports of a renewed sense of optimism for small and medium-sized businesses (SME's) with revenues expected to rise in the new year. It is hoped bills will begin to fall after LES figures showed business energy rates have dropped by more than 60pc since last Autumn.

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However, the Government’s Energy Bills Discount Scheme is expected to stop in April, with no replacement scheme in place. Phil Foster, Founder and Chief Executive at Love Energy Savings, said: “The survey results are a damning indictment for small business owners who have kept our economy ticking particularly during three turbulent years.

"Small businesses are often overlooked despite being an incredibly important part of our economy and communities. The recent Autumn Statement announcement and piecemeal reforms will have done very little for the vast majority of business owners suffering from stress and