Doubts over single currency

Single Currency Must Boost Jobs Insists Brown

"This project will never gain wide support unless and until it is seen as improving prospects for jobs, output and investment," he said in Brussels at a meeting of European finance ministers.

Mr Brown told his European colleagues in Brussels that whatever decision Britain ultimately took about signing on for Economic and Monetary Union, it was in the UK's interests to see it succeed.

Brown: Stress on jobs

"EMU must improve economy"

"I am clear that whether or not the UK takes part, we have a strong interest in EMU going ahead only on a successful and sustainable basis," he said. "That is why I shall continue to play a positive and constructive part in the debate."

With eighteen million unemployed in the EU, said Mr Brown, success meant creating the economic climate in which jobs could flourish.

The latest round of talks comes amid growing pressure in Germany for a delay in launching the single currency until Europe's economies can comfortably meet the agreed targets deemed necessary for a smooth transition from national currencies to the Euro.

France is also signalling that it has no intention of sacrificing national economic goals and job prospects for the sake of the single currency.