Women wearing heels at work costing the UK hundreds of millions

Women wearing high heels at work is costing the British economy £260million a year, according to one expert.

Helen Sewell, a voice and communication coach, said entrenched attitudes towards high heels could lead to a generation of women with serious health problems that would force them to take time off work.

Giving written evidence to a Petitions Committee inquiry on the effect of dress codes in the workplace, Sewell claimed the British economy loses as much as £260million each year through absences associated with "inappropriate footwear" – The Telegraph reports.

The inquiry was set up after an e-petition of more than 150,000 signatures was brought to Parliament calling for it to be made illegal to require women to wear heels at work. The e-petition was launched by temporary worker Nicola Thorp, who was sent home from PwC for wearing flat shoes.