Under the Civil Contingencies Act local authorities are now obliged to help businesses plan for disasters such as fires, terrorist attacks and bird flu. The new services, launched recently, are designed to ensure that disasters cause as little damage to the economy as possible and businesses continue to trade.

A survey by the Cabinet Office and the Chartered Management Institute of 1,150 firms and public sector organisations found that while disaster planning was seen as important by the majority, less than half had actually put together a plan.

The most common business disruptions are currently the loss of IT, followed by the loss of key staff and then phone system failures.