European Commission: Some of Britain's EU reform proposals highly problematic
The European Commission has described some of the issues raised by UK prime minister David Cameron to reform the EU as “highly problematic”.
Some of Mr Cameron’s proposals for talks to make sure that Britain stays in the EU may be feasible, Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said, adding that others ranged from “difficult to worse”.
He specifically referred to proposals where freedom of movement would be limited by allowing the UK to restrict benefits for migrants from other member states.
Mr Schinas said: “Some things are highly problematic as they touch upon the fundamental freedoms of our internal market. Direct discrimination between EU citizens clearly falls into this last category.”
Admitting that some people would accuse him of seeking too little, Mr Cameron insisted he was asking for what Britain “needs” and that the package had been “carefully designed”.
The premier reiterated his determination to secure tougher restrictions on migrants’ access to welfare, arguing that 40% of recent European Economic Area migrants were receiving an average of around £6,000 a year of in-work benefits.
However, Mr Cameron did hint that he may be willing to make concessions on the key issue of a four-year bar on access to in-work benefits and housing.
“We have proposed that people coming to Britain from the EU must live here and contribute for four years before they qualify for in-work benefits or social housing, and that we should end the practice of sending child benefit overseas,” Mr Cameron said.
“Now, I understand how difficult some of these welfare issues are for other member states, and I am open to different ways of dealing with this issue.
“But we do need to secure arrangements that deliver on the objective set out in the Conservative Party manifesto to control migration from the European Union.”
He added: “Ultimately, if we are going to reduce the numbers coming here, we need action that gives greater control of migration from the EU.”
