A survey carried out by the FPB found that 94% have seen energy bills increase over the past year, followed closely by rises in transport costs (92%) and raw materials (82%).

Additionally 82% of respondents said that overall rising costs have impacted adversely on their business.

The FPB has said that there should be a code of conduct to police the way utilities companies treat small firms, which would be similar to the code protecting domestic customers.

It is currently working with Ofcom and the Energy Retailers Association (ERA).

Among plans, it has said that there should be a cap on back billing and fairer contracts to prevent small businesses being ‘rolled over’ onto more expensive deals with little or no prior knowledge.

Other suggestions include, where a micro business has taken all reasonable steps to avoid being back billed requiring energy companies to limit retrospective charges to three years for electricity bills and to a negotiated period for gas bills.

Chief executive Phil Orford said: "It is no surprise that so many of our members are feeling the pinch when it comes to energy in particular. The situation doesn’t look set to change in the foreseeable future as all of the ‘big six’ suppliers have put utility prices up in time for the peak winter season.

"We need small and micro businesses to given better protection from practices such as back billing, where they can be charged tens of thousands following meter errors that are in no way their fault, and rollover contracts. A robust code of conduct policing the activities of energy companies would be a step in the right direction."