A deal paving the way for Britain’s historic in-out referendum on the European Union is just five weeks away, Jean-Claude Juncker revealed today.
The European Commission President said he is “quite sure” that David Cameron will strike a permanent agreement with the other 27 leaders at a summit due to start on February 18.
A key breakthrough at Brussels is said to involve new German proposals to curb the rights of European workers to claim in-work welfare benefits like tax credits for four years. However there could be a row in the UK Cabinet if, as ministers suspect, it means stopping benefits from young Britons as well.
“I am quite sure that we’ll have a deal — not a compromise, a solution, a permanent solution — in February,” said Mr Juncker, the executive head of the 28-nation club.
Skirmishing ahead of the referendum, which could be held in September, intensified as confidence grew in Downing Street of a breakthrough. Chancellor George Osborne threw out Boris Johnson’s suggestion that there could be two votes in quick succession, by stressing it will be a “once in a lifetime decision”.
Several ministers have argued against any compromise that would see UK school-leavers denied welfare support.
