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| EU referendum: Czechs propose migration 'brake' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has proposed an "alternative" to David Cameron's controversial plan to curb in-work benefits for EU migrants. | Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has proposed an "alternative" to David Cameron's controversial plan to curb in-work benefits for EU migrants. |
| Mr Sobotka wants an "emergency brake" on immigration to ease pressure on member states' welfare systems. | Mr Sobotka wants an "emergency brake" on immigration to ease pressure on member states' welfare systems. |
| Mr Cameron said his four-year benefit ban plan "remains on the table". | Mr Cameron said his four-year benefit ban plan "remains on the table". |
| But he was open to "other ideas" that would provide a "similarly powerful" solution before an EU summit next month. | But he was open to "other ideas" that would provide a "similarly powerful" solution before an EU summit next month. |
| The prime minister, who is holding talks with Mr Sobotka in Prague, wants to get the Czechs and other EU nations to back his reform package at a summit next month so he can call an in/out referendum on whether the UK should stay in the European Union. | The prime minister, who is holding talks with Mr Sobotka in Prague, wants to get the Czechs and other EU nations to back his reform package at a summit next month so he can call an in/out referendum on whether the UK should stay in the European Union. |
| But the welfare element of his proposals has been resisted by Central European member states. | But the welfare element of his proposals has been resisted by Central European member states. |
| The Czech Republic has been among the outspoken members of the Visegrad Group - the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary - in expressing concerns about benefit curbs for migrants. | The Czech Republic has been among the outspoken members of the Visegrad Group - the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary - in expressing concerns about benefit curbs for migrants. |
| 'Generous benefits' | 'Generous benefits' |
| In an opinion piece for Czech newspaper Hospodarske Noviny, Mr Cameron said he valued the contributions Czechs had made to British life, including Czech-born playwright Tom Stoppard and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech, and he believed in the principle of free movement. | In an opinion piece for Czech newspaper Hospodarske Noviny, Mr Cameron said he valued the contributions Czechs had made to British life, including Czech-born playwright Tom Stoppard and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech, and he believed in the principle of free movement. |
| But he added: "Britain does face some particular challenges due to the scale and speed of immigration in our communities." | But he added: "Britain does face some particular challenges due to the scale and speed of immigration in our communities." |
| He said the British welfare system was an "unnatural draw for people to come to our country". | He said the British welfare system was an "unnatural draw for people to come to our country". |
| "For example, because of Britain's generous in-work benefits system, a graduate from the Czech Republic could be financially better off stacking shelves in a supermarket in Britain rather than undertaking skilled work in the Czech Republic. | "For example, because of Britain's generous in-work benefits system, a graduate from the Czech Republic could be financially better off stacking shelves in a supermarket in Britain rather than undertaking skilled work in the Czech Republic. |
| "That doesn't make sense for Britain or for the Czech Republic." | "That doesn't make sense for Britain or for the Czech Republic." |
| The prime minister's other reform demands include cutting excessive regulation and allowing the UK to opt out of further political integration. | The prime minister's other reform demands include cutting excessive regulation and allowing the UK to opt out of further political integration. |
| If he can get agreement from the 27 other EU nations at the next European Council summit on 18 and 19 February, he is widely expected to hold a referendum in June. | If he can get agreement from the 27 other EU nations at the next European Council summit on 18 and 19 February, he is widely expected to hold a referendum in June. |
| His predecessor as Conservative leader, Lord Howard, has said he would be surprised if Mr Cameron came up with a deal that would convince him to back the UK's continued membership. | His predecessor as Conservative leader, Lord Howard, has said he would be surprised if Mr Cameron came up with a deal that would convince him to back the UK's continued membership. |
| David Cameron's four main aims for renegotiation | David Cameron's four main aims for renegotiation |
| Referendum timeline: What will happen when? | Referendum timeline: What will happen when? |
| Guide: All you need to know about the referendum | Guide: All you need to know about the referendum |
| Q&A: What does Britain want from Europe? | Q&A: What does Britain want from Europe? |
| More: BBC News EU referendum special | More: BBC News EU referendum special |