BCC: Energy Costs Continue to Spark Business Concern 

Over a quarter of businesses (27%) say they are currently finding it difficult to pay their energy bills, according to new research from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).  

The BCC survey of over 600 firms shows energy costs are particularly challenging for manufacturers, with 35% saying they’re struggling to pay bills, and 34% of B2C services businesses reporting difficulties. 

The fresh data comes as the BCC publishes a new report into business energy costs, just days after the regulator Ofgem announced household bills will fall from April. The report, ‘Powering Growth: Resetting Energy Costs for Businesses’, makes a series of recommendations to government, including calls to: 

• Fund at least part of the Renewables Obligation on business energy bills, immediately cutting energy costs for firms.  
• Implement a permanent energy advice scheme for businesses to drive energy efficiency.  
• Introduce a Targeted Electrification Discount to support businesses with the cost of switching to low carbon alternatives.  
• Urgently expand the UK’s energy storage capability and deliver on grid connection reforms.  

The BCC Insights Unit gathered data from 672 firms, most of them SMEs, between early January and early February. While the percentage of businesses struggling to pay their bills has eased (37% in 2024, and 52% in 2022 – the height of the energy price crisis), a worrying proportion of firms – 27% – are still experiencing difficulties. Two-thirds (66%) say it will be easy to pay bills, while 6% are unsure). 

The BCC’s energy report highlights how UK businesses are facing some of the highest energy costs in the world. This pressure is directly feeding into price rises – 52% of businesses report utility costs as a price pressure, according to separate BCC data for Q4 2025. This comes as at a time when firms are facing wider pressures elsewhere, including national insurance and business rates.  

The BCC is calling for immediate “meaningful support for businesses to manage energy costs” to strengthen growth and competitiveness. The report also concludes that the uptake of low-carbon technology solutions by businesses is being held back by high upfront costs. The BCC is calling on ministers to introduce stronger targeted financial support for businesses looking to switch to low carbon. 

Ben Martin, Policy Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: 

“High energy costs are not simply an additional expense for businesses, they hit growth and competitiveness.  Ministers need to be doing more to cut costs for tens of thousands of firms across the UK.  

“With over half of businesses under pressure to raise prices because of their utility costs, our research shows energy costs are still sparking real concern. That’s almost four years since the peak of the energy crisis.  

“All this comes as firms are already battling high costs elsewhere, from national insurance to business rates.  

“Ministers have rightly identified the impact energy is having on the cost of living. That needs to match by an understanding of the impact on the cost of doing business.  

“Government could quickly provide support for business by funding part of the Renewables Obligation on energy bills, similar to what they did in the Autumn Budget 2025. This, alongside providing the right support for firms with their energy consumption, could provide some much-needed relief for businesses. 

“Firms want to play their part in the UK’s energy transition, but they can’t do that when they are crippled by sky-high businesses costs, including energy. 

“Urgent action is needed to help businesses keep the lights on, now and in the future.” 

Read the full report here

Source: British Chambers of Commerce

Neterra is conducting a brief survey to better understand the criteria enterprises use when choosing their internet service providers. The goal of this research is to analyse market needs and enhance service standards for the business community.

Your feedback is highly valued, and the survey will take no more than 3-4 minutes of your time.

Win a Prize: As a token of appreciation, Neterra is offering a Nutribullet blender to one lucky participant. The winner will be selected via a raffle at the end of March from all completed entries.

You can participate in the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TPPPCK2

Thank you for your contribution, and good luck in the raffle!

On 25 February we had the pleasure to host a full house at the annual BBCC Tax and Regulatory Update, kindly hosted by CMS Sofia.

A huge thank you to our expert speakers who helped us navigate the shifting legal and financial landscapes for 2026:

• Katerina Novakova (Wolf Theiss) on the 2026 Sustainability Omnibus.
• Anna Chanova (Buzalov&Chanova Law Firm) on the new Pay Transparency legislation.
• Aleksandra Petrova (Kambourov & Partners) on Transfer Pricing and OECD updates.
• Bilyana Ruseva & Angel Bangachev (PwC Bulgaria) on Employee Representation and NIS 2.
• Alexander Rangelov (CMS Bulgaria) on CBAM Regulation challenges.
• Dimitar Tabakov (DGKV) on the Digitalization of Administrative Proceedings.

It was a pleasure to see such a vibrant exchange of ideas, and we look forward to welcoming you back to our future events to continue building a stronger, more connected business community.

As financial reporting standards continue to evolve, PwC’s Academy invites professionals across the business community to strengthen their IFRS knowledge through their ACCA DipIFR preparation programmes. Whether you manage reporting, advise clients, or seek a credential that elevates your career internationally, their training options are designed to meet different levels of experience and learning styles. 

What you can choose from: 

• Exam Preparation Course – a results‑driven programme focused on mastering the ACCA DipIFR exam structure. This option is a blend between tutor-led sessions focusing on exam techniques, DipIFR practice exams and guided self-study.  
  Training application deadline: 27^th March 2026
  
• Exam focus package – ideal for those who completed the training materials earlier and wish to concentrate only on solving exam questions. This offer includes 6 half-day tutor-led live online sessions, where past exam paper questions are solved and learners can ask questions.
  Training starts on 5^th May 2026
  
• Self‑Study Packages – a flexible, self‑paced option offering high‑quality learning materials developed by PwC specialists for in‑depth and independent preparation. 

Each pathway helps participants build practical IFRS insights they can apply immediately in their roles while preparing for the globally recognised ACCA DipIFR qualification. 

Learn more about available packages here: 

https://www.pwc.bg/en/pwc-academy/portfolio/accounting-and-finance/ACCA-DipIFR-course-packages.html

For questions or guidance, contact the PwC’s Academy team at bg_pwcacademy@pwc.com  

Kamelia Slaveykova, BBCC vice chair, represented Shell Bulgaria as a panelist at this year’s ESG & Friends, a forum that brings together leading experts, leaders and visionaries in the field of sustainable development. She also accepted the “Sustainable Investor” award.

In the panel dedicated to employee mental health, Kamelia spoke about the long journey that Shell has taken over the past two decades to make mental well-being a strategic priority and how a Global Mental Well-being Program is being implemented in Bulgaria.

Shell Bulgaria was awarded the “Sustainable Investor” award for two key social investment projects – “Excellent Driver” (“Otlichnik na putya”) and Shell Eco-marathon Bulgaria, including their soft skills development programme aimed at Bulgaria’s future engineers.

“I am proud of what we have achieved and the role we play in promoting sustainable solutions for people and society“ shares Kamelia

Responding to the Prime Minister’s speech at the Munich Security Conference, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: 

“A reshaped European defence and geopolitical environment can offer opportunities for UK businesses as they push for stronger exports and economic growth.  

“So, they will welcome the importance placed on this by the Prime Minister and European leaders at the Munich Security Conference this weekend.  

“On defence, this the moment to negotiate as large a role as possible for UK defence companies and supply chain SMEs in the EU’s SAFE facility. Bilateral defence procurement relationships with key partners like the Netherlands, Germany, France and Poland, under our common NATO commitments, can also generate economic growth and a more secure Europe.  

“UK defence firms increasingly look across the Channel and North Sea to Europe as our largest export market for defence hardware, systems and know-how. Future orders and growth depend upon boosting the strength of those links now.  

“We also need to remove, barriers to trade in a wide range of other sectors with the EU, including automotives, energy, food and drink, and business services. The BCC has made nine recommendations for UK and EU leaders to prioritise, with a focus on economic security, supply chains, business mobility and rules of origin. 

“The UK plays a critical role in pan-European supply chains in vital sectors from automotives to climate technologies. This reality must be reflected in the regulatory and investment conditions our businesses face now and in the coming years. 

“The future for jobs and investment across many areas of both the UK and EU economies depends upon it.” 

Source: British Chambers of Commerce

Bring a sparkle to the end of your busy day and boost your wine knowledge!

The theam at the WineMakery Club want to spread our knowledge, aiming to create a passion for wine and foster an overall knowledge for its healthy usage.

Their lectures range from basic theoretical to advanced and regional:

• Viticulture and Vinification
• Tasting
• Food & Wine Pairing
• Old/New World wines
• Advanced Regional Wines
• Wine Law and Labels

For more information and to book, please contact Iassen from the WineMakery Club at itrendafilov@winemakeryclub.com or 0889999481.

The prestigious awards in the field of performing arts have been awarded since 1974 on World Theatre Day – March 27. The ceremony is traditionally held on the evening of March 27 at the Ivan Vazov National Theatre.

This year the organisers are presenting their sponsorship and partnership proposition with BBCC Members, offering 10% off from the sponsorship packages

You can read about the sponsorship opportunities (in Bulgarian) here:

Celebrate Easter 2026 in Borovets – surrounded by the tranquility of the pine forest and fresh mountain air. Hotel Rila invites you to combine festive traditions with comfort, an organised program, and a true mountain getaway.

The Easter program includes:

• Festive Easter lunch on April 12, 2026
• Easter folklore program
• Themed children’s entertainment
• DJ at Champions Lobby Bar – Saturday and Sunday

The team at Rila Hotel Borovets is look forward to welcoming you for a celebration filled with traditions, good cheer, and shared moments in the heart of the Rila Mountains.

Book your stay here.

As one of the newest members of the British-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce, The Other Half would like to extend a special welcome offer to the community. 

They are offering 5 Marketing Audit & Advisory Reports – free of charge, to the BBCC members (first-come, first-served). 

The Other Half helps companies turn their brand into a real business growth engine through clear positioning, meaningful communication, and effective marketing. Their experience includes projects with leading Bulgarian and international companies such as A1, Sirma, OLX, Becherovka, as well as supporting international founders like WPX and Area52 in growing their businesses in Bulgaria and abroad. 

The purpose of the audit is simple: to identify where growth is leaking and where untapped potential exists. 

What the audit includes: 

• Structured interviews with key stakeholders (CEO, leadership team, selected team members) 
• Brand positioning and customer perception analysis (desktop research)
• Marketing performance and effectiveness analysis (goal-setting, budgeting, channels, processes, communication, ads) 
• As an end result – we identify the key gaps and provide you with actionable recommendations for improvement 

If you would like to apply for a Marketing Audit & Advisory Report, simply email The Other Half at giveme@theotherhalf.co 

You build great products. They’re the other half that helps them grow.