Scottish jobs under threat from rising fuel costs

Almost a quarter of Scottish businesses have considered reducing staff numbers because of the pressure of rising fuel costs, an Energy Saving Trust snapshot survey has found.

Six per cent of those asked said they had actually been forced to lose workers because of the pressure of spiralling petrol prices.

Almost half (45 per cent) of the organisations surveyed said energy costs were the biggest factor affecting them today – and a third are now using bicycles for business travel.

Ian Murdoch, manager for Scottish transport at the Energy Saving Trust, Scotland, said: “The economic downturn and rising fuel costs are presenting significant difficulties for Scottish businesses – but help is at hand.

“Green measures like fuel efficient driving, electric vehicles and even using bicycles can all ease the pressure on strained transport budgets, and the Energy Saving Trust can provide advice about all those options.

“Additionally, the Energy Saving Trust offers a free sustainable transport review which could identify significant opportunities for organisations to reduce the impact of rising travel costs.”

The snapshot Scottish transport survey, conducted online between November 2012 and April 2013, also found 70 per cent of organisations have spoken to their staff about the need to cut travel costs.

Four in ten have considered buying electric vehicles to reduce running costs, making the green vehicles the most popular option for saving money on business transport.

More than a quarter of organisations surveyed (27 per cent) have audited their transport and travel arrangements to see where cost savings could be made, and a third have already taken fuel efficient driver training.

Four in ten of the Scots firms questioned (41 per cent) spend more than £10,000 a year on business travel, with a quarter (26 per cent) interested in getting financial support to cut transport costs.

Murdoch added: “The findings of this survey show organisations are concerned about transport costs – and that most want to do something to reduce them.

“It is encouraging to learn that more than a quarter of organisations have audited their transport and travel arrangements to see where cost savings could be made. On top of that, a third of those asked had already taken fuel efficient driver training, which is a great way for everyone to learn about saving fuel.”