Press Release: PM calls and readout of meetings in Brussels: 29 January 2016

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details 29.01.16
Publication Date 29/01/2016
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United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron had separate meetings on the 29 January 2016 with the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker and President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz to discuss the progress of the UK negotiations for EU reform with the EU Institutions and fellow Member States. He also spoke by phone with President Hollande of France.

The key focus of the discussions at this time seemed to be around the UK demand for a four-year ban on EU migrants claiming in-work benefit. News sources suggested that the European Commission had proposed an 'emergency brake' under which the UK or any other member state would be able to impose a ban for up to four years on migrant workers claiming benefits if the country applying to use it could show that EU migration was placing excessive pressure on its welfare and social systems and its public services. Doubts however remained as to how the mechanism would operate.

On the 31 January 2016 David Cameron had a working dinner with European Council President Donald Tusk to further the negotiations.

On the same day, the Prime Minister's Office said that European Commission had tabled a text making clear that the UK’s current circumstances met the criteria for triggering the emergency brake.

Subsequently, President Tusk announced he would circulate to all the governments of the Member States on the 2 February 2016 a legal text of the details of a proposed deal in advance of the European Council on 18-19 February 2016. David Cameron was due to make a speech on the 2 February 2016 outlining his perspective on the agreed draft text.

Source Link Link to Main Source https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-calls-and-readout-of-meetings-in-brussels-29-january-2015
Related Links
Blog: Open Europe, 29.01.16: Can ’emergency brake’ bridge gap between UK and EU on migration and welfare? http://openeurope.org.uk/today/blog/4243/
ESO: Background information: Speech by UK Prime Minister David Cameron at World Economic Forum, Davos, 21 January 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-by-uk-prime-minister-david-cameron-at-world-economic-forum-davos-21-january-2016/
Deutsche Welle, 28.01.16: Juncker to meet Cameron in bid to put brake on 'Brexit' http://dw.com/p/1HlNg
ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/
CAPX, 29.01.16: David Cameron is beating the Eurosceptics, for now http://capx.co/david-cameron-is-beating-the-eurosceptics-for-now/
BBC News, 29.01.16: Cameron says 'long way to go' in EU benefit talks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35434125
EUObserver, 29.01.16: Cameron urges EU concessions on welfare https://euobserver.com/political/132069
EurActiv, 29.01.16: Cameron tight-lipped on possible ‘emergency brake’ in Brexit negotiations http://www.euractiv.com/sections/uk-europe/cameron-tight-lipped-possible-emergency-brake-brexit-negotiations-321441
Politico, 29.01.16: Cameron stuck on ‘emergency’ migrant brake http://www.politico.eu/article/david-cameron-and-juncker-hold-difficult-brexit-meeting-eu-referendum/
The Guardian, 30.01.16: Deal or no deal? Cameron bid to reform EU hits fresh obstacles http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jan/30/cameron-tusk-migrants-eu-referendum
BBC News, 31.01.16: EU talks: David Cameron seeking changes to in-work benefits 'brake' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35452981
Politico, 31.01.16: Tusk says ‘no deal yet’ after Brexit dinner with Cameron http://www.politico.eu/article/eus-tusk-says-no-deal-after-brexit-dinner-with-cameron/
EurActiv, 01.02.16: Brexit talks extended after Cameron, Tusk fail to reach agreement http://www.euractiv.com/sections/uk-europe/brexit-talks-extended-after-cameron-tusk-fail-reach-agreement-321451
Politico, 01.02.16: Primer: The EU and David Cameron: We need to talk about Brexit http://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-david-cameron-european-union-eu-migrant-reform/
United Kingdom, Prime Minister's Office: Press Release, 31.01.16: PM meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-european-council-president-donald-tusk
EUObserver, 01.02.16: 'No deal yet' in EU-UK talks https://euobserver.com/political/132074
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BBC News, 01.02.16: Donald Tusk to publish UK-EU 'settlement' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35456633
European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 29.01.16: UK referendum: Prime Minister Cameron visits European Parliament http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160129STO11957/
CAPX, 01.02.16: David Cameron’s EU emergency brake is ‎fake http://capx.co/emergency-brake/
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The Economist, 01.02.16: David Cameron’s EU endgame The 'emergency brake' is only symbolic, but it will probably work http://www.economist.com/blogs/bagehot/2016/02/david-cameron-s-eu-endgame?
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The Conversation, 01.02.16: Q&A: what migrant benefits negotiations between EU and the UK really mean https://theconversation.com/qanda-what-migrant-benefits-negotiations-between-eu-and-the-uk-really-mean-53994

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