Lack of sleep is costing the UK economy billions of pounds and sleep-deprivation is putting us at risk of an early death.

Lack of sleep is costing the UK economy billions of pounds and sleep-deprivation is putting us at risk of an early death. Research firm Rand Europe found the effect on sleep deprivation on productivity and health was losing the UK up to £40 billion each year - nearly 2% of the country's GDP. Sleeping for just one extra hour a night could add £24 billion to the UK economy. Olivia Demetriades spoke to Marco Hafner, a research leader at RAND Europe. She began by asking why a lack of sleep costs so much.