Euro could hit jobs, UK union to warn

One of the Britain's biggest trade unions was today set to voice concerns that jobs could be hit if the UK joins the single currency.

The Transport and General Workers Union was debating a motion at its national conference which warns that meeting the convergence criteria for the new currency could be ‘‘difficult and disruptive’’ for the economy.

The motion, which will be supported by the union’s executive, said the Government’s five economic tests may not be met in the short or medium term.

UK membership of the single currency would have implications for job security and could have a negative impact on employment, the motion warned.

The union’s General Secretary Bill Morris is close to the Chancellor Gordon Brown, who will address the Conference in Brighton later this week.

Meanwhile, TUC general secretary John Monks was expected to tell the T&G conference today that the debate about the future of public services could ‘‘run out of control’’.

The unions are unhappy with Government plans to extend private sector involvement in the running of public services and some have warned of a ‘‘collision course’’ with the Government over the issue.