07/01/2010 - Businesses count the cost of snow
Business leaders have warned that the Greater Manchester economy may lose £24 million a day because of havoc caused by the snow.
While some businesses struggled through Tuesday's blizzard unscathed, many others were forced to remain closed or scale back activity due to a lack of employees.
The Federation of Small Business believe that around one in 10 staff across the country were unable to make it to work on Tuesday, potentially costing the UK economy £600 million. That would see the north west being hit to the tune of £60 million a day, while Greater Manchester would suffer losses of £24 million a day.
A poll of 213 companies by employment law firm Peninsula found 44 per cent of workers in Greater Manchester stayed at home.
Brian Sloan, head of business and economic policy at Greater Manchester Chamber, said: "Due to significant numbers of employees unable to get into work or arriving late, productivity will be affected and several working days lost could result in businesses losing millions of pounds.
"Where possible, employers need to look at providing alternative working arrangements for their staff, such as equipping them with the means to work from home."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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