EU 'offers David Cameron new deal' that will deny benefits to migrants

Sources tell Reuters a breakthough has been reached

Angela Merkel, David Cameron and Francois Hollande meet during a European Union summit dominated by the migration crisis at the European Council in Brussels, in October 2015. (Getty Images)

The European Union is set to offer David Cameron his main demand in his negotiations to change Britain’s terms of membership of the bloc, it has been reported.

The Reuters news agency cites sources that say the UK will be given the ability to limit access to in-work benefits four-year break as an “emergency brake” on migration from other EU states.

The demand forms the centrepiece of Mr Cameron’s renegotiation strategy, which also includes demands to cut red tape, protect the single market for countries outside the Euro, and exempt Britain from “ever closer union”.

At last year’s general election David Cameron promised to renegotiate the terms of Britain’s membership of the EU and then hold a referendum on whether it should remain.

The plebiscite is set to be held by the end of 2017 but insiders say it could be held as early as this summer.

It has not been clear whether Mr Cameron’s demands would require changing EU treaties, which would require the unanimous consent of other EU member states, some of whom are opposed to the plan.

Reuters says that the PM will discuss the proposals on Friday with the European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.

The Commission would reportedly initiate any EU legislation required to pass the measure.

A broader package of EU reforms could be approved as early as Sunday.

Mr Cameron’s demands are more limited in scope than previous rhetorical claims about curbing freedom of movement made back in December.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage already said late last year that the proposals would change nothing and that the entire negotiation process is a “charade”.

Recent polls on whether Britain would leave the European Union have shown varying and inconclusive results.