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Downing Street denies Cameron ready to drop EU migrant benefit demands

Reports that David Cameron is ready to drop key demands over in-work benefits for EU migrants as part of his bid to renegotiate Britain's relationship with the European Union, are "simply not true" Downing Street has said.

The Prime Minister has previously proposed a four-year wait before they can be claimed.

Labour has said there are other options to be considered on the issue and Britain should play its full role in resolving issues in Europe rather than "whingeing" over by the exit door.

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Labour: Too much 'whingeing' by exit door to Europe

Alan Johnson has said Britain should be focused on playing 'full role' in Europe Credit: BBC/The Andrew Marr Show

Former Labour Home Secretary Alan Johnson, who is leading the party's campaign for Britain to remain in the European Union, has said there is more that can be done on the issue of work benefits paid to migrants.

It comes as Downing Street dismissed reports the Prime Minister is ready to drop demands for a four-year wait until EU migrants can claim in-work benefits as"simply not true".

Mr Johnson told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "Most other European countries have a system where you contribute, so there is a contributory system to benefits."

"That was the original idea of the Labour government in 1945, but it's been diminished, so we could return to that and that means our domestic situation [too, so] there's no discrimination."

He added that Britain should be at the forefront of resolving issues in Europe instead of being "over by the exit door whingeing and moaning instead of playing it's full role".

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Downing Street denies Cameron ready to drop EU migrant benefit demands

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