Those in energy jobs could find small businesses struggling to meet gas and electricity costs next year as the economy recovers, it has been suggested.

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Speaking to Fresh Business Thinking, head of More Th>n Business Mike Bowman explained that rises in commodity prices could put firms under greater pressure, demanding tight management of cash flow.

He was commenting following the publication of the insurer's Business Inflation Report, which gave a "clear sign that growth is returning to the economy".

However, Mr Bowman told the magazine: "The predicted sharp rise in commodity prices as we go into next year is likely to raise the cost of running a small business, perhaps more than market demand.

"As a result, it's important that small business owners manage cash flow carefully as suppliers begin to push prices up again."

The report indicated that in the third quarter of 2009 gas prices fell by 16.99 per cent, while electricity costs rose by 0.32 per cent.