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EU referendum: UK 'closes in on EU in-work benefits deal' EU referendum: Cameron discusses 'emergency brake' on benefits
(about 1 hour 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. David Cameron is in talks in Brussels over a deal to allow Britain to curb in-work benefits for migrants - with the permission of other EU nations.
A source close to the negotiations with the EU said it would mean the UK could put an "emergency brake" on payments. The so-called "emergency brake" plan is aimed at breaking the deadlock in Mr Cameron's EU renegotiations.
The UK would have to show its welfare system was overwhelmed and would need approval from a majority of EU states. The prime minister is hoping to get an agreement next month to pave the way for an in/out referendum this year.
But Eurosceptic MP John Redwood said it was "an insult to the UK and not a serious offer". But Tory Eurosceptic John Redwood said the "emergency brake" was "an insult to the UK and not a serious offer".
Prime Minister David Cameron is due in Brussels later for talks on renegotiating UK membership of the EU. Mr Cameron, who is meeting European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker later, wants to prevent migrants from other EU nations from claiming in-work benefits for four years, which he says will help reduce high levels of immigration to the UK.
The restriction on in-work benefits for EU migrants is one of his key demands for reform. He is thought to have backing for his other three negotiating demands - but the benefit restrictions are being resisted by Central European member states, who view it as discriminatory against their citizens.
But there has been strong opposition to his demand for a four-year freeze on working-age benefits for EU migrants as part of moves to reduce numbers coming to the UK. Some EU nations have floated the idea of an "emergency brake" on immigration, that would allow member states to temporarily close their borders to stem abnormally high migration flows.
Under the arrangement being discussed, the European Commission would perform tests on whether a brake in benefits payments was acceptable, but final approval would rest with a majority decision of the union's 28 states. They could also use the brake system. But now the term is being applied to a plan to allow member states to restrict welfare payments, if it can be proved that their benefit systems are under intolerable strain due to immigration.
The European Commission would perform tests on whether a brake in benefit payments was acceptable, but final approval would rest with a majority decision of the union's 28 states.
'Crunch moment'
The BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg said the negotiations were approaching a "crunch" moment and while Downing Street believed progress was being made, it was willing to walk away if it did get what it wanted.
She said the emergency brake being proposed was "a complicated way" of pausing the payments of benefits such as tax credits to EU migrants and there were questions about how effective it would be and whether, in isolation, it would be enough for Mr Cameron to recommend the deal to the British people.
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The BBC's Europe editor Katya Adler said what was being proposed was a long way off what had been originally talked off in terms of the UK being able to temporarily suspend all EU migration in certain circumstances and the talks were likely to "go down to the wire".
Mr Redwood, who is part of Conservatives for Britain, a group campaigning to leave the EU, told the BBC the brake proposal fell "well short" of the need for Britain to regain control of its borders.Mr Redwood, who is part of Conservatives for Britain, a group campaigning to leave the EU, told the BBC the brake proposal fell "well short" of the need for Britain to regain control of its borders.
He said Britain would have to beg other countries in certain circumstances to impose a temporary halt on benefits, a plan he dismissed as a "bad joke". He said the prime minister had "got to do better than offer a feeble emergency brake that won't work".He said Britain would have to beg other countries in certain circumstances to impose a temporary halt on benefits, a plan he dismissed as a "bad joke". He said the prime minister had "got to do better than offer a feeble emergency brake that won't work".
'Tough lever'
Conservative MP Nick Herbert, who backs the PM's stance of wanting to remain in a "reformed Europe", said this was "a report of a proposal" and people should wait for the "final outcome".
What "the middle ground of opinion" wanted from the negotiations, he claimed, were effective measures that would "restore control over migration and balance the numbers (coming to the UK)".
"If there is a lever that can be pulled soon enough and will operate for long enough and would be a tough and practical measure, that would address our concerns," he told Radio 4's Today.
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 without a deal if he judges that what is offered is not good enough for Britain.
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 any deal on Mr Cameron's proposed reforms is reached, the UK will hold a referendum on EU membership - promised by the end of 2017.Once any deal on Mr Cameron's proposed reforms is reached, the UK will hold a referendum on EU membership - promised by the end of 2017.
Asked about the "emergency brake" 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 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 said."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 said.
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 an EU 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 an EU summit on 18 February.
David Cameron's four main aims for renegotiationDavid Cameron's four main aims for renegotiation