Unions tell Labour to have a euro rethink

Leaders of more than two million workers yesterday urged the Government to be at heart of Europe "not at its throat".

Four of Britain's leading unions launched a campaign to spark "greater enthusiasm" for the single currency on the part of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The new Trade Unionists for Europe group published a report highlighting the benefits of closer European integration, including job creation and enhanced social provision.

The study pointed out that trade links with Europe were stronger than ever. Sir Ken Jackson, general secretary of the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union, said senior ministers had not "been as enthusiastic as we would have liked" about Europe.

John Edmonds, leader of the GMB, said that of the four EU members who remained outside the single currency, three were preparing to enter. Mr Edmonds said. "It is impossible for Britain to maximise its influence if it is not involved in the major economic instrument which other nations believe is crucial to the development of the EU."