IFRS Briefing

Barclays PLC
07 December 2004


                                                                 7 December 2004

                                  BARCLAYS PLC

                  INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS

Barclays PLC is today briefing analysts and investors on its implementation of
the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Barclays will begin
reporting under IFRS in 2005.

It is expected that the transition to IFRS will have a minimal overall impact on
both profit before tax and earnings per share. There is expected to be a modest
impact on regulatory capital ratios resulting from a reduction in shareholders'
funds. As expected, the most significant impact will be an increase in gross
balance sheet footings reflecting a change in the rules relating to netting.

The briefing will commence at 11.00 (GMT) and is also available via a live
webcast on the website: http://www.investorrelations.barclays.co.uk. An archived
version of the webcast and slides will be available on the website later this
afternoon.

                                      ENDS

For further information contact:

Investor Relations:                     Media Relations:

Cathy Turner [phone]       Chris Tucker [phone]
James S Johnson [phone]    George Hulbert [phone]

This document contains certain forward looking statements within the meaning of
Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section
27A of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to certain of the
Group's plans and its current goals and expectations relating to its future
financial condition and performance. These forward looking statements can be
identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current
facts. Forward looking statements sometimes use words such as 'anticipate',
'target', 'expect', 'estimate', 'intend', 'plan', 'goal', 'believe' or other
words of similar meaning. By their nature, forward looking statements involve
risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances,
including but not limited to UK domestic and global economic and business
conditions, market legislation, the outcome of pending and future litigation and
impact of competition, a number of which are beyond the Group's control. As a
result, the Group's actual future results may differ materially from the plans,
goals and expectations set forth in the forward looking statements. A more
detailed list of these factors is contained on pages p110-111 of Barclays PLC
Annual Report 2003 that is available on the Internet at
www.investorrelations.barclays.co.uk/ivr/2004report. Any forward looking
statements made by or on behalf of Barclays speak only as of the date they are
made. Barclays does not undertake to update forward looking statements to
reflect any changes in Barclays expectations with regard thereto or any changes
in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. The
reader should, however, consult any additional disclosures that Barclays has
made or may make in documents it files with the US Securities and Exchange
Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F.

All numbers given in the briefing are estimates, included only for illustrative
purposes. They are subject to change and should not be relied on or considered
definitive.




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