Snow bound Britain

Parts of Britain saw a further 47cm of snow fall over night and the freezing temperatures are expected to continue for at least another two weeks.

Hospitals cancelled operations, schools were closed and the Armed Forces had to be called in to help clear roads. All airports were affected by delays and cancellations. The runway at Gatwick closed with more than 80 flights unable to take off.

Temperatures overnight on Tuesday dropped -13C in Aberdeenshire and -10C in Marham, Norfolk. The Met Office warns that it will snow every day in Britain in the coming week, with a clear north-south divide opening up, the bad weather being concentrated in the south.

With millions unable to get into work, each day is estimated to cost businesses £690 million. So what are their plans to deal with this loss?

It is simple really; millions of snowbound workers risk losing pay or holiday entitlement because some of Britain's top employers have refused to rule out penalising staff who are unable to get to work.

Tesco, which employs 300,000 in the UK, said decisions on whether staff would be paid would be made at local level but warned that some workers might have to take unpaid leave. A spokeswoman said: "There are a lot of options for staff and stores including taking unpaid leave." Asda said it was trying to be as flexible as possible with staff unable to struggle in to work, but said some might have to choose to use holiday or lose a day's pay.

A Marks & Spencer spokesman said if staff had trouble getting to the store where they worked, they would be encouraged to go to an alternative store. "If they don't go into work at all, it is at the discretion of the individual store manager as to whether they are paid. But they are being encouraged to take the day as holiday instead."

Banks including Barclays, HSBC and First Capital Connect said decisions about whether to dock pay were being taken by local line managers.

So, let's get this straight, if these workers use up all their holiday entitlement, then they won't have any days left to come to Spain next summer and spend their money in the local shops and bars. Nice one!