Business continuity planning will be largely unaffected by the economic recession, according to research by Continuity Central.

The data found that 57% of senior directors polled from the financial services, public sector, telecoms and utilities industries said the credit crunch had had no impact on their business continuity arrangements.

One-third of respondents thought it had had a negative effect while 10% saw it as a positive impetus.

A further 57% said that business continuity spending in 2009 would match that of 2008, with almost one in five (19%) expecting it to be higher.

"Businesses are coming to recognise the importance of strong strategic planning during this economic downturn," said Tony Gimple, managing director at business continuity consultancy Crisis Survivor.

"Shrewd risk assessment plays a major part in the success of a business, so while many businesses have been cutting costs in areas such as marketing, others are continuing to take steps to incorporate insurance and risk transfer into their business plans."