Cabinet to receive euro studies

A decision will be announced on 9 June

Ministers are preparing for some heavy duty reading this weekend with the arrival of 2,000 pages of information on the euro.

The cabinet is taking delivery of the 18 technical studies drawn up by the Treasury ahead of meetings with Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

The move is part of a series of steps leading to a full cabinet discussion of the case for UK membership of the single currency before an announcement on 9 June.

The timetable was set out by the prime minister's official spokesman on Thursday amid fevered speculation at Westminster about the eventual verdict on whether to call a referendum on joining the euro or stay clear of the currency for now.

VIEW FROM THE EUROZONE

Germany: Sympathy with doubts

Ireland: Keen for UK to sign up

France: Weary amusement at UK saga

Number 10 announced that there will be two full-scale Cabinet discussions on the issue before the crucial decision is announced.

Ministers are being asked to first consider the Treasury's 18 supporting studies on the case for euro entry.

They will then discuss those findings with the prime minister and chancellor before a full cabinet discussion.

The next stage will see ministers receiving the Treasury's assessment of its five economic tests for euro entry, followed by another series of meetings between Mr Blair, Mr Brown and individual ministers in the week starting 2 June.

A final decision will be taken at a cabinet meeting on 5 June or 6 June before the announcement the following week.

Many commentators have interpreted the plans as an attempt by Mr Blair to get his way on the outstanding big issue of the future timing of a referendum on the euro.

The UK's euro verdict

A need-to-know guide

At-a-glance

The BBC understands that the prime minister and chancellor have agreed that the UK is not yet ready to join the euro.

But they are thought to remain split over whether to rule out a euro vote before the next election.

Mr Brown is believed to favour ruling out a poll in this parliament, but Mr Blair is said to want to keep that option open.

'Pantomime'

The saga is increasingly being seen at Westminster as a struggle between the two most powerful men in government for control of the euro agenda.

Mr Blair told cabinet colleagues on Thursday that the decision on the euro was "one of the most important this government will make".

However, Mr Brown has stressed that the "decisive factor" for making the final assessment will be what is in the "long term national interest".

The UK's five tests

Convergence with eurozone

Enough flexibility to adapt

Impact on jobs

Impact on financial services

Impact on foreign investment

Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith says indecision and splits on the euro are damaging the whole quality of life of British people.

He said: "This announcement shows what a pantomime they are engaged in. The reality is that the government is split and divided on this issue. They are going to row between now and June 9."

Matthew Taylor, the Lib Dems treasury spokesman, said the chancellor and prime minister were "clearly at loggerheads" and were "leaving it to the last possible moment to make an announcement of ever more indecision".

Simon Buckby, campaign director of Britain in Europe, said: "The economic conditions for entry are right and the government should either call a referendum now or set out a road map for a referendum in the lifetime of this Parliament."

But George Eustice, director of the "No" campaign, said: "The government is obviously totally divided over the euro and Tony Blair wants as much time as possible to try to force the Treasury to soften its conclusions."