NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, INTO…

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, INTO OR
FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE
RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION




                                                                                17 June 2008



 Statement regarding merger discussions with Informa plc
On 8 June 2008, United Business Media plc ("UBM") announced that it was in discussions
with Informa plc ("Informa") regarding a potential merger of the two groups. For several
weeks prior to this date, UBM had been in discussions with Informa in connection with a
nil-premium, all-share merger. UBM remains of the view that a merged company could
deliver significant benefits to both UBM and Informa shareholders, provide enhanced
services to its customers, and could become the employer of choice in the global business
media market. However, the Board of UBM has been unable to agree terms with Informa
that would be in the best interests of UBM shareholders. Discussions between UBM and
Informa have therefore ceased.

UBM will continue the successful growth strategy which has delivered compound annual
growth in earnings per share of in excess of 28% over the last five years. UBM will continue
to invest both in acquisitions and in organic business development initiatives for its leading
global news distribution, information and exhibitions businesses. UBM will seek to take
advantage of its strong balance sheet - at the end of March 2008 UBM's net debt was
approximately £170m - whilst maintaining its requirement that its acquisitions deliver an
8% post-tax return in the first full year of ownership.

For the purposes of Rule 2.8 of The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers ("the Code"),
UBM reserves the right to make or participate in an offer or possible offer for Informa within
the six months following the date of this announcement in the event that: (1) an agreement
or recommendation from the Board of Informa is forthcoming; (2) there is an
announcement of an offer or possible offer by a third party for Informa; (3) there is an
announcement by or on behalf of Informa of a 'whitewash' proposal (as defined in the
Code) or of a reverse takeover (as defined in the Code); (4) Informa undertakes or
announces an intention to undertake any acquisition, disposal, merger, joint venture,
scheme of arrangement or other transaction involving in any such case a material amount
(as defined in Note 2 of Rule 21.1 of the Code); (5) there is a change in the executive
directors of Informa; or (6) there is a material change of circumstances.

                                           - Ends -
Contacts
Media
Peter Bancroft                    Director of Communications
E-mail                            communications@ubmgroup.biz
Direct telephone                  +44 20 7921 5961

Chris Barrie                      Citigate Dewe Rogerson
E-mail                            chris.barrie@citigatedr.co.uk
Direct telephone                  +44 20 7282 2943
Mobile                            +44 796 872 72 89

Analysts/Investors
Email                             investorrelations@ubmgroup.biz
Nigel Wilson                      +44 20 7921 5019
Andrew Crow                       +44 20 7921 5940
Direct telephone                  +44 20 7921 5095

Merrill Lynch International
Richard Taylor                    +44 20 7995 2052
Simon Fraser                      +44 20 7996 2606


Merrill Lynch International is acting exclusively for UBM and no one else in connection with
a possible transaction with Informa and will not be responsible to anyone other than UBM
for providing the protections afforded to clients of Merrill Lynch International or for
providing advice in relation to the proposal or any other transaction, arrangement or
matter referred to in this announcement.


Notes to Editors
1. About United Business Media plc
United Business Media plc is a leading global business media company. We inform markets
and bring the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print, and with the
information they need to do business successfully. We focus on serving professional
commercial communities, from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery
traders, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. Our 5,000 staff in more than 30
countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, helping them to
do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently. For more information, go to
www.unitedbusinessmedia.com.