The current severe weather conditions affecting many parts of the UK will have a huge impact on companies, claimed an expert.

Significant disruptions to roads and public transport systems in London and across many parts of the UK due to heavy snowfall could cost the UK economy up to £400 million, according to the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC).

The body's director-general pointed out that interruptions to travel routes will have had a dramatic effect on the number of commuters able to reach their place of work and this will have an impact on business revenues.

David Frost commented on the transport problems: "More needs to be done to ensure that the UK has an infrastructure which is cost-efficient, timely, flexible and able to deal well with the strains of such an in-demand service."

He added that the impact of the weather "will be huge", especially at rush-hour times in the morning and noted that Britain needed a transport system that could keep the country moving in the event of severe conditions.

Businesses in the south-east of England, the Midlands and Wales could also expect to experience staffing problems as a result of the weather since thousands of parents had to take time off work to look after their children with so many schools staying closed.