Computer-related disruptions are costing the United Kingdom’s economy an estimated £44 billion annually, according to recent research. This figure represents a significant increase from £35 billion reported in 2018, highlighting a growing economic impact from IT failures across various sectors.

The study, conducted by IT support company Managed247, also found that the average employee in the UK loses approximately 93 hours per year due to technology-related issues, equating to over 12 working days of lost productivity. The research indicates that internet and connectivity problems have now surpassed software malfunctions as the leading cause of these productivity losses.

John Pepper, CEO of Managed247, underscored the increasing dependence of businesses on technology, noting that even minor technical disruptions can lead to substantial operational setbacks. "Technology has become the backbone of almost every business, so even small disruptions now have much bigger consequences than they did a few years ago," Pepper said.

The findings point to an urgent need for organizations to prioritize robust IT infrastructure and support systems to mitigate the economic damage caused by ongoing computer failures. As digital reliance intensifies across industries, the cumulative cost of technology outages poses a growing challenge for the UK economy.