Business representatives in Wales are urging enterprises to turn to "contingency plans" – such as setting up employees to work from home – during the cold snap. The Welsh spokesperson for the Federation of Small Business issued his comments amid concerns that smaller firms are being particularly affected by freezing weather conditions.

"Staff can't get to work and if schools are closed some have to stay home and look after kids," Russell Lawson pointed out to Wales on Sunday. "And customers are not venturing out, which causes a drop in takings."

Adding that a shortage of salt has meant some roads in Wales resemble "a sheet of ice", he remarked: "We are hoping more businesses will have a contingency plan in place this week, like setting up for staff to work from home, for example."

Lawson's homeworking reminder follows warnings from local government representatives in Wales that grit stocks in the country have reached "critical levels" while the snow continues to fall.

Last week, the Trades Union Congress echoed calls for bosses to facilitate homeworking when its spokesperson urged employers not to force staff into the office amid treacherous conditions on the nation's roads.