The government's decision on the euro will reflect Britain's national economic interest, Gordon Brown has said.

But following a key Cabinet meeting on Thursday during which ministers decided whether or not Britain should join the single currency, the Conservatives predicted that policy would be more likely to reflect Labour splits.

Senior ministers met to discuss the euro issue Thursday afternoon, amid speculation that up to four of the five tests have been failed.

Speaking in Downing Street after the discussions, Brown said that there had been a "wide-ranging, detailed and comprehensive discussion".

"It will be the national economic interest that will be the determining factor, and we are all resolved that nothing must be done will put the stability of the British economy at risk. Indeed, we want to entrench that stability for the long term for Britain," he said.

The Treasury's 18 background studies will be published on Monday morning at 9.00am, with the detailed assessments published immediately after the chancellor has concluded his statement to MPs.

"We are now in a position to announce our decision to the House of Commons on Monday and I look forward to the debate in the country that will follow it," Brown added.

But shadow chancellor Michael Howard said the discussions had reflected a need for the prime minister to "paper over Labour's splits".

"It's depressingly clear that the British national interest is going to come a poor second to whoever wins the bitter and personalised faction fighting which has taken place in the Cabinet and within the Labour Party over the past weeks and months," he said.

"Whatever gloss Tony Blair and Gordon Brown put on the Cabinet meeting, Labour remain split over the euro referendum.

"Labour are divided on the euro, on tuition fees, on foundation hospitals, on Iraq and many of the problems our society faces. It is the British people who are paying the price of Labour's factions and divisions."