As the UK woke up yesterday to the worst fall of snow since 1991, 20% of the workforce - totalling 6.4 million employees - were unable to make it to work, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Stephen Alambritis, head of public affairs at the FSB, estimates the absence levels for yesterday alone will cost UK business £1.2 billion and with the adverse weather set to continue throughout the week, this figure could rise to £3.5 billion.

Stephen Beynon, managing director of ntl: Telewest Business, believes organisations need to have a contingency plan for the weather.

He said: "The British weather seems to be getting even less predictable so organisations need to have a continuity plan in place to ensure operations do not come to a standstill when the worst happens.

"Businesses can prepare with a flexible working policy so employees can still be productive and continue their work, wherever they are."