Snow estimated cost to UK business 3.5 billion in lost employee productivity

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."