EU referendum: diplomat cool on Cameron's renegotiation progress

Diplomatic source says “more likely” move to curb benefits will result in restrictions lasting “months rather than years”

By Jessica Wilkins

22 Oct 2015

The prime minister will fail to implement tighter controls on benefits EU migrants can claim in the UK, a diplomat involved in the renegotiation process with Brussels has warned.

David Cameron wants to prevent EU migrants from claiming in-work benefits if they have been in the UK for less than four years, but the diplomat told the Daily Mail it was “more likely” a deal would prevent benefits for “months rather than years”.

Cameron has previously insisted restrictions on what in-work benefits EU migrants can claim was an “absolute requirement” ahead of talks with EU leaders.

EU officials have already signalled support for Mr Cameron’s call for the bloc to be more competitive and expressed a willingness to adapt rules so Britain is not penalised for being outside the Eurozone, the paper reports.

A government spokesman insisted the Conservative election manifesto pledge to ensure EU migrants must work in the UK for four years before they can claim in-work benefits "remains the case"