
Friday's heavy snow could cost the UK economy almost ?500m, according to new research by insurance group RSA.
The bad weather continues to engulf the UK , with up to 30cm - or a foot - of snow expected in south Wales.
RSA based its findings on the economic impact of the severe weather conditions in December 2010.
At the time, the Office for National Statistics estimated the snow caused the UK economy to contract by 0.5% in the fourth quarter.
Jon Sellors, RSA's head of research, told Sky News the ongoing weather conditions had impacted businesses, schools and the transport system.
"We estimate that up to a third of the UK's workforce have been unable to get into work, which would cost the economy up to ?473m.
"And if the bad weather continues, the economic cost is only going to get higher."
Ross Walker, UK economist at RBS, said there was an "obvious risk" snow would hit growth in the UK.
"This weather comes at a bad time - when the economy is growing at a 1% annual rate, it doesn't take much in any individual quarter to push it backwards," he told Sky News.
Link: Snow Costs UK Economy '?500m A Day' - Yahoo! News UK



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