Downing Street is confident that the UK's view on the future of the EU will win through at the Laeken European summit at the weekend.

At a press briefing yesterday the prime minister's official spokesman signalled that the Belgian EU presidency would water down its integrationist vision for the union.

"We would expect that as a result of the tour of capitals that the Belgian prime minister is doing they will produce a revised text reflecting the comments they have picked up," said the PMOS. "Our sense is that there is pretty widespread consensus with other European partners around our particular views."

In a move that indicates a stepping up of the UK's preparations for the euro, Tony Blair will join other EU national leaders to unveil a "starter pack" for European single currency notes and coins which are introduced into circulation on January 1.

Peter Hain has called for debates at the EU meetings of ministers to be televised.