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The number of UK employees working from home has soared over the last three years, according to a new survey.

Research from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) says that 46 per cent of British firms now offer workers the opportunity of teleworking, compared to just 11 per cent in 2004.

In its annual employment trends survey, the CBI attributes the rise in popularity of homeworking to inadequate transport systems and advances in mobile technology.

"That teleworking has quadrupled in three years is testament to how far and fast firms have come in adopting new technologies for the benefit of staff and the business," commented CBI deputy director general John Cridland.

"Others will also be using the technology to reduce their carbon footprint, as ever increasing numbers of firms seek to help combat climate change."

Today's survey shows the increased prevalence of a broad range of flexible working patterns and reveals that three per cent of employees are temporary.

The CBI says this labour market flexibility is a key pillar of the UK economy's inherent strength.

But Mr Cridland says the government should take the survey's findings as proof of the country's "creaking transport infrastructure".

"There is no doubt firms have had enough of struggling with the clogged arteries of our transport system and the latest official figures reveal that, though slightly fewer journeys are made overall, people are still travelling further to work than they did ten years ago," he added.