Britain’s economy at risk, George Osborne warns

The threat of Greece crashing out of the euro is damaging economies across Europe, including Britain’s, Chancellor George Osborne warned yesterday.

Uncertainty over the future of struggling eurozone nations was having a “real impact” on growth, he said. Speaking in Brussels, where he is attending talks between European Union finance ministers over the continuing crisis, Mr Osborne criticised the “open speculation” by some eurozone members.

“The eurozone crisis is having a real impact on economic growth across the European continent, including in Britain, and it’s the uncertainty that’s causing the damage,” he said.“Of course countries have got to make difficult decisions about their public finances. We know that in Britain.

“But it’s the open speculation from some members of the eurozone about the future of some countries in the eurozone which I think is doing real damage across the whole European economy.”

TOM PETERKIN