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PM: Britain a step closer to striking EU reforms deal

David Cameron has said Britain is a step closer to getting a better EU deal after summit talks in Brussels.

The Prime Minister said the meeting had been "difficult" but Britain was "on a pathway" to striking a deal in February.

Other EU leaders have called Cameron's immigration demands, which include banning migrant benefits until they have been in the country four years, "unacceptable".

Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic issued a statement rejecting any British demands that are "discriminatory" or limits free movement of EU citizens.

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Has the PM hinted 2016 will see an EU referendum?

David Cameron appears to have hinted that a British referendum on whether the country should leave the European Union could happen in 2016.

The Prime Minister has previously promised to hold the public vote before the end of 2017, but in a speech at the end of a two day EU summit in Brussels, he appears to hint that the vote could be as early as next year.

We've made good progress, we are a step closer to agreement on the significant and far-reaching reforms I have proposed.

It is going to be tough and there is a lot of hard work to do.

But I believe 2016 will be the year we achieve something really vital, fundamentally changing the UK's relationship with the EU and finally addressing the concerns of the British people about our membership.

Then it will be for the British people to decide whether we remain or leave. It is a choice we will all need to think hard about.

– David Cameron

A deal at the next European Council summit in February would clear the way for the referendum to be held later in 2016, with speculation that his preferred date is 16 June - before a summer in which Europe's ongoing migration crisis could hit new heights.

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PM: Britain a step closer to striking EU reforms deal

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