Trading Statement

Informa Group PLC
20 December 2001


                                                          Thursday 20 December

                              Informa Group PLC

                          Pre-Close Period Statement



Informa is making a pre-close period statement today ahead of its financial
year ending 31 December 2001.

Since our trading update of 1 November 2001 we have seen some improvement in
delegate attendances as confidence in air travel returns. As we indicated in
our statement on 1 November, the impact of the decline in delegate numbers is
being mitigated by continuing strong sponsorship and exhibition sales and by
tight control over costs.

Subscription income, which accounted for about 25% of Group revenue in 2000,
has held firm.

Advertising, which accounted for only some 11% of the Group turnover in 2000,
has remained depressed throughout November and December. This has mainly
affected the Maritime, Trade and Transport, Finance and Insurance markets. The
advertising in our Life Sciences division, which accounts for around 25% of
our total advertising, has remained buoyant.

The group has reduced its cost base in response to the decrease in trading
activity at a cost of around £4.5m, leaving the business well positioned for
an upturn.

                                   - Ends-

For further information

Peter Rigby, David Gilbertson, Jim Wilkinson

Informa Group 0207 017 4301

Fiona Piper

The Maitland Consultancy 0207 379 5151