BBC News | BUSINESS | Growing business divide over euro

The director general of the BCC, Chris Humphries, said the figures showed business was splitting clearly into two camps.

"Compared with other recent business surveys on the single currency, this shows an increasing polarisation of business opinion between pro and anti-euro camps," he said.

"If government wishes to retain the option of joining the single currency after the next election, it must give serious consideration to how it will promote the benefits to the business community, which clearly remains unconvinced."

The pro and anti-euro lobbies have become increasingly vocal about the UK's role in Europe.

Earlier this year, a survey by Business for Sterling - which wants to keep the pound - suggested that 73% of businesses opposed entry to the single currency.

And in February, the pressure group Britain in Europe took out a full page advertisement in the Financial Times featuring 100 industrialists calling for the UK to be at the heart of Europe - although making no specific demands concerning the currency.

Both campaign groups co-operated with the BCC study, which covered 7,080 companies of all sizes and in all sectors and regions.

Preparations in hand

Larger companies and those trading with the European Union had a more favourable attitude to UK membership.

But in both groups those wanting a commitment to join were still in the minority.

However, half of all companies had made some preparations for membership.

Many of those which have not yet taken any measures said they would do so if there were a "yes" vote in a referendum or if a target date were set for entry.

The survey comes ahead of the BCC's annual conference next week, where speakers will include Chancellor Gordon Brown, Trade Secretary Stephen Byers and the shadow chancellor, Michael Portillo.


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