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Cameron ‘did not back off EU migrant cap under pressure from Merkel’ Cameron ‘did not back off EU migrant cap under pressure from Merkel’
(2 days later)
The foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, has denied that David Cameron “backed off” over plans to cap migration from the EU after Angela Merkel told him she would not tolerate such an incursion into the principle of the free movement of workers.The foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, has denied that David Cameron “backed off” over plans to cap migration from the EU after Angela Merkel told him she would not tolerate such an incursion into the principle of the free movement of workers.
Hammond acknowledged that ministers had consulted other EU member states ahead of the prime minister’s long-awaited speech on immigration on Friday, setting out proposals to curb the number of EU migrants coming to live in the UK.Hammond acknowledged that ministers had consulted other EU member states ahead of the prime minister’s long-awaited speech on immigration on Friday, setting out proposals to curb the number of EU migrants coming to live in the UK.
He denied reports, however, that Cameron had stepped back in the past week from a bolder plan for an annual quota or an emergency brake following the German chancellor’s intervention.He denied reports, however, that Cameron had stepped back in the past week from a bolder plan for an annual quota or an emergency brake following the German chancellor’s intervention.
“I don’t think that is right. What is right is that we have sought to work with our partners in the European Union to understand the best way of delivering a reduction in immigration numbers from the EU in to the UK,” Hammond told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Saturday.“I don’t think that is right. What is right is that we have sought to work with our partners in the European Union to understand the best way of delivering a reduction in immigration numbers from the EU in to the UK,” Hammond told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Saturday.
In the speech in Staffordshire on Friday, billed as one of the most important of his premiership, Cameron announced that he would prevent EU migrants from claiming in-work benefits such as tax credits, make only those who have been in the UK for more than four years eligible to apply for social housing and to deport those who do not find jobs within six months.In the speech in Staffordshire on Friday, billed as one of the most important of his premiership, Cameron announced that he would prevent EU migrants from claiming in-work benefits such as tax credits, make only those who have been in the UK for more than four years eligible to apply for social housing and to deport those who do not find jobs within six months.
The decision to row back from tougher rhetoric in his speech disappointed his more Eurosceptic backbenchers, who said his plans would have only limited impact.The decision to row back from tougher rhetoric in his speech disappointed his more Eurosceptic backbenchers, who said his plans would have only limited impact.
Hammond, however, claimed that with “well over” 400,000 EU nationals currently claiming UK benefits or tax credits, the proposed changes would make Britain a “significantly less attractive destination” for migrants.Hammond, however, claimed that with “well over” 400,000 EU nationals currently claiming UK benefits or tax credits, the proposed changes would make Britain a “significantly less attractive destination” for migrants.
“That will get the numbers down,” he said.“That will get the numbers down,” he said.
He acknowledged that some of the measures, which the Conservatives say they will implement if they are returned to power in the general election in May, would require changes to EU treaties, which in turn would need the agreement of all 27 other member states.He acknowledged that some of the measures, which the Conservatives say they will implement if they are returned to power in the general election in May, would require changes to EU treaties, which in turn would need the agreement of all 27 other member states.
“They will form part of the broader negotiation that we will have with the other members of the European Union about reform of the European Union ahead of the referendum which we are giving to the British people in 2017,” Hammond said.“They will form part of the broader negotiation that we will have with the other members of the European Union about reform of the European Union ahead of the referendum which we are giving to the British people in 2017,” Hammond said.
Putting the treaties up for renegotiation represents a nightmare for most EU governments, and there will be significant resentment if they are reopened to suit Britain or even to provide it with an opt-out.Putting the treaties up for renegotiation represents a nightmare for most EU governments, and there will be significant resentment if they are reopened to suit Britain or even to provide it with an opt-out.
Common EU social security rules underpinning the freedom of movement of labour make citizens equal wherever they reside and work within the EU.Common EU social security rules underpinning the freedom of movement of labour make citizens equal wherever they reside and work within the EU.
Following Cameron’s speech on Friday, Merkel said: “The German government has in the past again and again underlined the significance of the principle of the free movement as it is anchored in the EU treaties. “It is important that Cameron commits himself to this central pillar of the EU and the single market.”Following Cameron’s speech on Friday, Merkel said: “The German government has in the past again and again underlined the significance of the principle of the free movement as it is anchored in the EU treaties. “It is important that Cameron commits himself to this central pillar of the EU and the single market.”
The prime minister has been advised that he needs to shift his focus from Europe to the economy, but that a major confrontation with Merkel would only serve to keep migration at the top of the agenda, thus benefiting Ukip.The prime minister has been advised that he needs to shift his focus from Europe to the economy, but that a major confrontation with Merkel would only serve to keep migration at the top of the agenda, thus benefiting Ukip.
• The picture caption was amended on 1 December 2014 because an earlier version said the photograph was taken at an EU summit in Brussels in October. In fact it was taken at a Nato summit in Wales in September.