Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.David Cameron has promised “hand on heart” that he has achieved his EU renegotiation goals – despite key differences between what he pledged and what he has achieved.
The Prime Minister had previously said he would negotiate new rules so that EU migrants “must live her e and contribute for four years before they qualify for in-work benefits or social housing”.
However, Mr Cameron has only been offered powers to limit in-work benefits partially, with the amount of social security paid to migrants gradually increasing over the four year period.
Out-of-work benefits are unaffected by the changes and Mr Cameron had not sought any changes to these rules.
Despite the differences, Mr Cameron told workers at the Wiltshire branch of Siemens: “I can say, hand on heart, I have delivered the commitments that I made in my manifesto.”
The PM said some details of the plan, published this morning by the European Council, were still being finalised.
The draft proposal is specific that any benefit restrictions would not be absolute, however.
The text of the 2015 Conservative manifesto appears to suggest stricter powers than those actually obtained by the Tory leader, telling voters:
“We will insist that EU migrants who want to claim tax credits and child benefit must live here and contribute to our country for a minimum of four years.”
Mr Cameron will have to convince other EU nations at a summit later this month as well as his own MPs and the British people of the deal’s effectiveness.
After the deal is taken forward Mr Cameron will hold a referendum on European Union membership – expected before the end of 2017 but possibly as early as this summer.
Mr Cameron declined to come to the House of Commons to answer an urgent question on the package from Jeremy Corbyn, instead giving a speech in Chippenham on the subject. He is expected to come to Parliament tomorrow.
Liam Fox, a Conservative MP and former defence secretary, said that the Prime Minister’s “very limited set of demands” had been “watered down by the EU in every year”.
“None of these changes come even close to the fundamental changes promised to the public. We are being asked to risk staying in the EU based on the back of empty promises from the EU that are not even backed up in treaty. The only safe option is the leave the EU.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments