British opposition to euro rises, says poll

OPPOSITION in Britain to ditching the pound in favour of the euro has risen despite the growing number of Britons who have now used euro notes and coins while travelling abroad, a new survey showed yesterday.

The regular poll, carried out on behalf of investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston, found 55% did not think it would be a good idea for Britain to join the euro in the next two or three years. That was up from 50% opposition in March and 46% in January.

Support for joining the euro fell to 35% in July, compared with 38% in March and 42% in January, CSFB said. The remainder were "don't knows".