Email 'blunder' reveals bank project assessing EU exit

A confidential Bank of England (BoE) email, which was inadvertently sent to the Guardian newspaper, has revealed a secret project at the institution assessing the economic risks posed to Britain if the country votes to leave the European Union.

The existence of the Bank's project emerged as the Prime Minister insisted he was "confident" of securing reforms in Brussels after meeting with European leaders at a summit in Latvia.

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Leslie questions 'secrecy' of BoE's EU exit assessment

Shadow chancellor Chris Leslie has raised questions over the 'secrecy' and 'concealment' surrounding the Bank of England's project looking at the economic risk to Britain if the country votes to leave the European Union

Chris Leslie accused the Conservatives of favouring the rich Credit: Yui Mok/PA

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme Leslie said: "It's a very momentous decision that the country is facing, it's incredibly important for our place in the world and we have got to have the full information and analysis so that the British people can reach an informed decision.

"I don't think it's unreasonable to have an assessment of the consequences for jobs, trade and living standards, but why on earth so much secrecy and concealment?"

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PM: We can transform relationship with EU for the better

David Cameron has given a press conference after meeting with European leaders at a summit in the Latvian capital Riga.

The prime minister said he discussed proposals for EU reform which he said were necessary to "address the concerns of the British people".

"I believe we can find a way through all of these problems. I believe we can transform our relationship with Europe for the better and that is what I've now embarked upon", he added.

He confirmed that he would be meeting with French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel next week as well as the President of the European Commission and other leaders to discuss his proposals further.

"By working together in the right spirit and sticking at it, I believe we can reform the EU and our relationship with it and then the British people will have the final say in an in/out referendum.

"I want to give them a proper choice, staying in a reformed European Union or leaving...and that's why these talks are so important".

EU chief to visit UK for reform talks on Monday

The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker will visit Britain on Monday for talks with David Cameron on European Union reform, a UK official said during an EU summit in Latvia.

The prime minister has vowed to negotiate a change in the terms of Britain's membership of the union.

David Cameron speaks to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Latvia Credit: Reuters

EU and Ukraine sign 1.8bn euro loan deal

The European Union and Ukraine have signed a 1.8 billion euro loan deal in an effort to help revive the country's economy.

EU and Ukrainian officials signed the agreement at the European Partnership Summit in Riga, Latvia. Credit: APTN

It requires Ukraine to adopt a series of reforms including anti-corruption measures to remedy structural problems in its economy.

In the first quarter of 2015, Ukraine's economy contracted by nearly 18 percent from the previous year as the country struggled with the impact of unrest in the industrial heartland of the east.

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Cameron 'determined' to deliver EU reform for Britain

David Cameron is meeting European leaders today for the first time since securing his re-election.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the prime minister said it was an opportunity to start some of the discussions about the reform of the European Union.

"There will be ups and downs, you'll hear one day this is possible, the next day something else is impossible".

He added that one thing that will be constant is his "determination to deliver for the British people a reform of the European Union so they get a proper choice in that referendum".

Cameron warns EU reform talks will not be easy or quick

David Cameron has made it clear he will start talks to renegotiate the terms of Britain's EU membership "in earnest" in the margins of today's European summit.

"These talks will not be easy. They will not be quick. There will be different views and disagreements along the way," the Prime Minister warned.

David Cameron will meet European leaders for the first time since his re-election. Credit: PA Wire

"But by working together in the right spirit and sticking at it, I believe we can find solutions that will address the concerns of the British people and improve the EU as a whole," he said.

"After all we are not alone in wanting to make the EU work better for people across Europe. And that is what I'm determined to do."

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