Teachers strike could cost businesses up to £68 million in lost working hours
24/04/08 | 00:01
The British Chambers of Commerce has calculated that the teachers strike set for tomorrow could cost businesses up to £68 million in lost working hours.
Commenting on both the findings and the strike Sally Low, Director of Policy and External Relations at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
“This strike is going to cause disruption far beyond the classroom. Across the country parents are having take time off work and find extra money for childcare to ensure that their children are looked after.
“The NUT and the authorities must sit down to resolve this before any damage is done to the economy.”
Ends
Notes to Editors:
The methodology for the £68 million figure is:
It has been estimated that 6,000 schools are going to be affected.
Reasonably assuming an equal split of Primary and Secondary schools
3,000 Primary
3,000 Secondary
There are 17,361 primary schools in England and Wales with 4,107,680 pupils
4,107,680 divided by 17,361 = 237
3,000 x 237 = 711,000
There are 3,343 secondary schools in England and Wales with 3,268,490 pupils
3,268,490 divided by 3,343 = 978
3,000 x 978 = 2,934,000
2,934,000 + 711,000 = 3,645,000
16% or children are in a family where the parents do not work.
That means 3,061,800 children will be in a family where the parents work.
Assuming two children per family that means that 1,530,900 families are going to be affected.
Assuming one adult will have to take time off work that means 765,450 adults will be affected and have to either take the day or part of the day off work.
The average weekly UK wage is £446.
Therefore the average daily wage in the UK is £89.
765,450 x 89 = £68,125,050.
Media Contacts:
Nick Dines
Tel: 020 7654 5812
Email: n.dines@britishchambers.org.uk
OR
Sam Turvey
Tel: 020 7654 5813
Email: s.turvey@britishchambers.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the National Voice of Local Business.
The BCC sits at the heart of a powerful nationwide network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce serving business across the UK, which employ over five million people.