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| EU referendum: UK 'closes in on EU in-work benefits deal' | EU referendum: UK 'closes in on EU in-work benefits deal' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The UK is said to be closing in on a deal that would allow it to deny in-work benefits to people from other parts of the EU for up to four years. | |
| A source close to the negotiations told the BBC the proposed arrangement with the EU would mean the UK could initiate an "emergency brake" on the payments. | A source close to the negotiations told the BBC the proposed arrangement with the EU would mean the UK could initiate an "emergency brake" on the payments. |
| It would have to show that the influx of workers from other EU countries was placing an unacceptable burden on its welfare and social systems. | It would have to show that the influx of workers from other EU countries was placing an unacceptable burden on its welfare and social systems. |
| Other EU states could use the measure. | Other EU states could use the measure. |
| The restriction on in-work benefits for EU migrants is one of Prime Minister David Cameron's key demands for reform in his renegotiations of the UK's EU membership. | The restriction on in-work benefits for EU migrants is one of Prime Minister David Cameron's key demands for reform in his renegotiations of the UK's EU membership. |
| Under the arrangement being discussed, the European Commission would perform tests on the claim to apply the "brake", but the final authority on whether it could be applied would rest with a majority decision of the union's 28 states. | Under the arrangement being discussed, the European Commission would perform tests on the claim to apply the "brake", but the final authority on whether it could be applied would rest with a majority decision of the union's 28 states. |
| Caution urged | Caution urged |
| The source said that the arrangement would require a change to EU legislation but - crucially - not a change to the EU's founding treaties - something seen as politically and practically impossible in the UK government's timeframe. | The source said that the arrangement would require a change to EU legislation but - crucially - not a change to the EU's founding treaties - something seen as politically and practically impossible in the UK government's timeframe. |
| Mr Cameron is due in Brussels on Friday to discuss the issues with the presidents of the European Commission - which is in charge of the EU's rules and regulations - and the European Parliament. | Mr Cameron is due in Brussels on Friday to discuss the issues with the presidents of the European Commission - which is in charge of the EU's rules and regulations - and the European Parliament. |
| Any potential deal would still have to be agreed by all EU leaders at a summit in February. | Any potential deal would still have to be agreed by all EU leaders at a summit in February. |
| Downing Street sources urged caution over reports of any breakthrough. | Downing Street sources urged caution over reports of any breakthrough. |
| They say the prime minister is still prepared to walk away from the February summit without a deal if he judges that it is not good enough for Britain. | They say the prime minister is still prepared to walk away from the February summit without a deal if he judges that it is not good enough for Britain. |
| David Cameron's four main aims for renegotiation | David Cameron's four main aims for renegotiation |
| Referendum timeline: What will happen when? | Referendum timeline: What will happen when? |
| Guide: All you need to know about the referendum | Guide: All you need to know about the referendum |
| Q&A: What does Britain want from Europe? | Q&A: What does Britain want from Europe? |
| More: BBC News EU referendum special | More: BBC News EU referendum special |
| Number 10 said Friday's talks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker would look at the "totality" of the renegotiations, not just the PM's most contentious demands on migration and welfare. | Number 10 said Friday's talks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker would look at the "totality" of the renegotiations, not just the PM's most contentious demands on migration and welfare. |
| Once a deal on Mr Cameron's proposed reforms is reached, the UK will hold a referendum on its EU membership - promised by the end of 2017. | Once a deal on Mr Cameron's proposed reforms is reached, the UK will hold a referendum on its EU membership - promised by the end of 2017. |
| Mr Cameron has said he is "hopeful" of an agreement at February's European Council summit. | Mr Cameron has said he is "hopeful" of an agreement at February's European Council summit. |
| There has been strong opposition to his demand for a four-year freeze on working-age benefits for EU migrants as part of his bid to reduce the numbers coming to the UK. | There has been strong opposition to his demand for a four-year freeze on working-age benefits for EU migrants as part of his bid to reduce the numbers coming to the UK. |
| The "emergency brake" alternative was discussed in talks with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka last week. | The "emergency brake" alternative was discussed in talks with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka last week. |
| However, precise details of how this could work have not been set out and nothing has been agreed. | However, precise details of how this could work have not been set out and nothing has been agreed. |
| Asked about the "emergency brake" on a visit to Aberdeen on Thursday, Mr Cameron said the four-year proposal remained on the table until "something equally potent" was put forward to prevent new arrivals from getting "instant access" to the welfare system. | Asked about the "emergency brake" on a visit to Aberdeen on Thursday, Mr Cameron said the four-year proposal remained on the table until "something equally potent" was put forward to prevent new arrivals from getting "instant access" to the welfare system. |
| "But what's good is that others in Europe are bringing forward ideas to address this problem so we have better control of movement of people into our country," he added. | "But what's good is that others in Europe are bringing forward ideas to address this problem so we have better control of movement of people into our country," he added. |
| Mr Cameron is also due to have a working dinner with European Council President Donald Tusk in Downing Street over the weekend, and will hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel before the summit on 18 February. | Mr Cameron is also due to have a working dinner with European Council President Donald Tusk in Downing Street over the weekend, and will hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel before the summit on 18 February. |