Concern in Britain about joining the euro is hardly news. The Conservatives are still tearing themselves asunder over the issue and the Labour government is tip-toeing very carefully around the issue, fearful of a sceptical public.

As part of efforts to reassure the electorate, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Gordon Brown has laid down a series of tests that have to be met in order for Britain to abandon sterling in favour of the new currency.

Latest reports claim that a Downing Street spokesman has said that, in order to meet the conditions for joining the euro, the phrase "spending a penny" is not to be used after December 31st, 2001.

From this date the correct terminology will be "euronating".