The United Kingdom joined the European Union in 1973. It has negotiated an ‘opt-out’ from the euro and is thus not obliged to introduce it.
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The United Kingdom at a glance
Surface: 244 100 km2
Population: 60 798 438 (Eurostat 2007, provisional figure)
Joined the European Union: 1 January 1973
Currency: Pound sterling (GBP)
Euro information
Status: The United Kingdom has not introduced the euro. The EU Treaty gives the United Kingdom the right to remain outside the euro area, even when all convergence criteria are met (opt-out). The pound sterling is not included in the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II).
Exchange rate: The current euro to pound sterling foreign exchange reference rate can be consulted on the website of the European Central Bank (updated daily).
Documents and publications
- National changeover plan (third outline, June 2003)
- Other documents and studies on Economic and Monetary Union and the United Kingdom (HM Treasury website)
Opinion polls and surveys
Public opinion and the single currency (Eurobarometer website)
Websites
Euro websites
- Euro information. The Official Treasury Euro Resource
- The Euro on H.M.Treasury website
- Education on the Bank of England website
- Archived websites on the euro
Institutions
- H.M. Treasury
- The Bank of England
- National Statistics, the home of official UK statistics
Business
- Euro Info Centres United Kingdom
- The British Chambers of Commerce
- Official Treasury Euro Resource website, business section
Consumers
- Which?
- National Consumer Council
- Consumer Direct (UK Governments consumers portal)
