Mounting overheads, skills shortages and concerns about the economy punctured Scottish business confidence over the last three months.
Nine in 10 Scottish firms reported an increase in costs during the second quarter of 2022, according to a survey conducted by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
The organisation polled 1,306 small business owners and sole traders over June and July - with 148 respondents from Scotland - with the business confidence index for Scotland standing at -31.8 points for the second quarter, down from +14.3 points at the start of the year.
