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20/05/2002
Euro referendum could take place next year
Former Labour cabinet Minister Peter Mandelson has claimed that a referendum on the single currency could take place as early as next year.
According to reports, Chancellor Gordon Brown has shown confidence that the five economic tests essential for membership of the eurozone are close to being met, with a deadline set for June 2003 for the final assessment.
Mr Mandelson's comments echo those made by Transport Secretary Stephen Byers, who said a referendum would likely take place next year, while Tony Blair, speaking to BBC's Newsnight programme, said that it could be "getting close".
However, business backing for the euro is fading fast, according to UK lobby group, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sir John Egan, who is about to take over as CBI President, falls firmly on the eurosceptic side, and has already made it clear that he opposes the idea of entry into the eurozone.
Speaking to the Financial Times, he stated: "Strong arguments in favour of joining have yet to be made and my suspicion is that there aren't any."
He then went on to stress that a serious and substantial debate needed to take place clarifying the politics of the euro before business could make up its mind as to the potential benefits of entry.
(CL)
According to reports, Chancellor Gordon Brown has shown confidence that the five economic tests essential for membership of the eurozone are close to being met, with a deadline set for June 2003 for the final assessment.
Mr Mandelson's comments echo those made by Transport Secretary Stephen Byers, who said a referendum would likely take place next year, while Tony Blair, speaking to BBC's Newsnight programme, said that it could be "getting close".
However, business backing for the euro is fading fast, according to UK lobby group, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sir John Egan, who is about to take over as CBI President, falls firmly on the eurosceptic side, and has already made it clear that he opposes the idea of entry into the eurozone.
Speaking to the Financial Times, he stated: "Strong arguments in favour of joining have yet to be made and my suspicion is that there aren't any."
He then went on to stress that a serious and substantial debate needed to take place clarifying the politics of the euro before business could make up its mind as to the potential benefits of entry.
(CL)
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14 June 2010
CIPR Journalism Awards In Full
Deric Henderson of the Press Association has been awarded the Journalist of the Year title The Belfast Telegraph lifted the title for Coca-Cola CIPR Newspaper of the Year, and the BBC's Spotlight Programme won the Coca-Cola CIPR Scoop of the Year and the Coca-Cola CIPR Current Affairs Programme of the Year for its Irish Robinson Investigation.
CIPR Journalism Awards In Full
Deric Henderson of the Press Association has been awarded the Journalist of the Year title The Belfast Telegraph lifted the title for Coca-Cola CIPR Newspaper of the Year, and the BBC's Spotlight Programme won the Coca-Cola CIPR Scoop of the Year and the Coca-Cola CIPR Current Affairs Programme of the Year for its Irish Robinson Investigation.
13 October 2015
BBC Sports Personality Of The Year To Take Place In Belfast
Tickets for this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year, live in Belfast, will go on sale on Thursday 15 October at 9am. Taking place in Northern Ireland for the first time, this year's event is live from The SSE Arena, Belfast on Sunday 20 December.
BBC Sports Personality Of The Year To Take Place In Belfast
Tickets for this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year, live in Belfast, will go on sale on Thursday 15 October at 9am. Taking place in Northern Ireland for the first time, this year's event is live from The SSE Arena, Belfast on Sunday 20 December.
15 November 2002
Guide shows SMEs how to compete in eurozone
In a move to encourage more small to medium-sized companies to grow faster through a sharper focus on business opportunities in Europe, Invest NI has produced ‘Trading with the Euro’, a new guide to opportunities within the Eurozone. The guide is being distributed to over 1,700 client companies and will be available on the web.
Guide shows SMEs how to compete in eurozone
In a move to encourage more small to medium-sized companies to grow faster through a sharper focus on business opportunities in Europe, Invest NI has produced ‘Trading with the Euro’, a new guide to opportunities within the Eurozone. The guide is being distributed to over 1,700 client companies and will be available on the web.
20 April 2004
Good year for Tesco as profits top £1.6bn
It has been a good year for the supermarket retailer Tesco which has seen pre-tax profits soar to £1.6 billion, according to the group's full-year preliminary statement issued today. In addition to driving up pre-tax margins by 17.6%, the company said that it had slashed its debts by £600 million, down to £4.1 billion. In the UK, sales grew by 14.
Good year for Tesco as profits top £1.6bn
It has been a good year for the supermarket retailer Tesco which has seen pre-tax profits soar to £1.6 billion, according to the group's full-year preliminary statement issued today. In addition to driving up pre-tax margins by 17.6%, the company said that it had slashed its debts by £600 million, down to £4.1 billion. In the UK, sales grew by 14.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy day with outbreaks of rain, most persistent and occasionally heavy across southern and western counties this afternoon. Risk of low cloud and fog patches affecting the Down coast. Light winds. Maximum temperature 15 °C.Tonight:Continuing cloudy through the evening with further outbreaks of rain, the rain turning lighter and patchier from the south overnight. Winds remain light. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
