Holidaymakers have experienced swingeing price rises in countries that have joined the euro. At home, opposition among trade unionists is rising.

Opinion polls show the public remains solidly against giving up the pound, and the Government seems to be backing away from calling a referendum.

Yet public sector preparations to join the euro still continue the limp excuse: to give the public a choice.

As a former nurse, I find it scandalous that £200m is being spent on NHS preparations when nearly three million pensioners exist beneath the poverty line.

I call upon the Government to cease euro preparations immediately and instead spend the money on tackling pensioner poverty and the care homes crisis.

(Mrs) Anna Calder

New Alliance

PO Box 13199, London SW6 6ZU