So says a report by the Centre for Economic Business Research (CEBR), which reckons that the problem is affecting business growth, productivity and, ultimately, the economy.

CEBR reckons British businesses and the Government spend around £16.7 billion annually on printing - equal to the GDP of Cuba, The Times reported.

Using mono rather than colour printing and setting up machines to print on both sides of the paper would help to reduce the inefficiencies, the report said.