Britain says Greece and euro zone need a sustainable solution

Three opinion polls carried out during Greece’s bailout referendum, which could affect the country’s future in the eurozone, indicate the “no” vote will win.

But elsewhere, European politicians warned that Mr Tsipras had set his country on “a path of bitter austerity and hopelessness”.

The headquarters of the executive arm of the British government said in a statement that contingency plans were already in place following the “decisive” referendum outcome, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported.

“As the economic crisis in Greece persists, there are greater risks of shortages…The risks are growing, so it is right that we remain vigilant and monitor the situation carefully”. No one should be under any illusions. The longer the Greek crisis lasts, the worse it gets.

“I am fully conscious that the mandate you have given me is not a mandate against Europe but a mandate for finding a sustainable solution that will take us out of this vicious circle of austerity”, he said.

– British Chancellor of the Exchequer says Greece’s potential exit from eurozone “will be traumatic”.

When asked whether Greece should stay in the European Union, Cameron’s spokeswoman said Britain supports a 28-member EU.

The government has also issued updated travel advice for British tourists, warning that cash withdrawals and credit card services could become limited at short notice. “They need to find a sustainable solution”, she added. “The situation risks going from bad to worse”.

Osborne said that extra staff had been sent to the British embassy in Athens, “to be prepared for whatever happens”. Banks have been shut all week, and it is uncertain when they will reopen.

Mr Osborne said he had spoken to the head of the Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem as well as the managing director of the worldwide Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde. “We are monitoring the situation closely and stand ready to assist Greece if requested to do so”.

Although Britain’s direct exposure to Greece is limited, Downing Street warned that the United Kingdom will not be “immune” to any fallout from the crisis. “We have the plans in place for whatever the outcome is”, he told BBC1’s The Andrew Marr Show.

Osborne said that Greece was part of that single currency, “and an exit will be traumatic”. The European Central Bank was meeting on Monday ahead of the eurozone summit on Tuesday.

He told a press conference in Brussels: “One thing is clear – the place of Greece is and remains in the eurozone. We will now wait for the initiatives of the Greek authorities”, he said.