10. Is snow actually good for the economy? Anthony Reuben: Workers stranded at home, transport chaos, empty High Streets - it's claimed the cold snap has cost the UK economy hundreds of millions of pounds. But is this true, asks BBC business reporter Anthony Reuben. Taking anecdotal evidence that 10% of staff don't make into work as a result of snow, the Federation of Small Businesses estimates the wintery weather could be costing the economy at least £600m a day. Also, people are using extra gas and electricity to heat their homes, which is bad news for household budgets but good news for the economy. Some of that gas still comes from the North Sea, which is very good economically. Salt mines and salt hauliers are doing well in the cold snap Most of that salt comes from mines in Cheshire, Teesside and County Antrim, and so those mines - and any extra hauliers roped in to deliver their products - are having a boom time. Sales of warm clothing, sledges, soup, duvets and snow tyres are all up and people are stocking up on extra food to see them through the cold spell . Even cars skidding on ice help the economy, as these vehicles often need to be repaired or replaced, generating extra work and additional sales. Task 1 Task 2