EU referendum: Theresa May backs David Cameron over deal
EU referendum: Cameron announces date of vote
(35 minutes later)
Home Secretary Theresa May has backed David Cameron's deal to reform the EU which he claims will give Britain "special status" within the bloc.
Britain will vote on whether to remain in the EU on Thursday, 23 June, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.
Her statement came as the cabinet met to discuss the deal - and before the PM announces the date of a referendum on whether Britain should stay in the EU.
The prime minister made his historic statement in Downing Street after briefing the cabinet on his EU reform deal.
Mr Cameron has vowed to campaign with his "heart and soul" to keep the UK in.
He said he had told ministers he will recommend remaining in a reformed EU.
Several ministers, including Michael Gove, will campaign against him. It had not been clear where Mrs May stood.
Home Secretary Theresa May has backed him - but other ministers including Justice Secretary Michael Gove are expected to join the out campaign.
In a statement, the home secretary said: "The EU is far from perfect, and no one should be in any doubt that this deal must be part of an ongoing process of change and reform - crucial if it is to succeed in a changing world.
"But in my view - for reasons of security, protection against crime and terrorism, trade with Europe, and access to markets around the world - it is in the national interest to remain a member of the European Union."
Leave campaigners are hoping London Mayor Boris Johnson will join their cause - but he has yet to declare where he stands.
Leave campaigners are hoping London Mayor Boris Johnson will join their cause - but he has yet to declare where he stands.
Mr Cameron claims his EU reform deal - hammered out at a two-day summit in Brussels - answers many of the "frustrations" the British public have with the EU such as migrants getting "something for nothing" from the benefit system. It also exempts Britain from the EU drive for "ever closer union".
Mr Cameron claims his EU reform deal - hammered out at a two-day summit in Brussels - will give the Britain "special status" within the bloc - tackling concerns over migrants getting "something for nothing" from the benefit system and exempting the country from the EU drive for "ever closer union".
But critics say it does nothing to tackle high levels of immigration or take back powers from Brussels, with UKIP leader Nigel Farage branding it "truly pathetic".
But critics say it does nothing to tackle high levels of immigration or take back powers from Brussels, with UKIP leader Nigel Farage branding it "truly pathetic".
The key points of the deal are:
The prime minster had to make concessions to get a deal with the leaders of the 27 other EU members.
Mr Cameron had originally wanted a complete ban on migrants sending child benefit abroad but had to compromise after some eastern European states rejected that and also insisted that existing claimants should continue to receive the full payment.
On how long the UK would be able to have a four-year curb on in-work benefits for new arrivals, Mr Cameron had to give way on hopes of it being in place for 13 years, settling for seven instead.
Mr Cameron launched his campaign to keep Britain in the EU late on Friday, saying that although the organisation was far from perfect "turning our back on the EU is no solution at all".
"We should be suspicious of those who claim that leaving Europe is an automatic fast-track to a land of milk and honey," he added.
"The British people must now decide whether to stay in this reformed European Union or to leave. This will be a once in a generation moment to shape the destiny of our country," he said in a speech.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn dismissed Mr Cameron's deal as a "sideshow" designed to "appease his opponents in the Conservative Party", adding that he had done nothing to protect jobs and fight low pay.
"We will be campaigning to keep Britain in Europe in the coming referendum, regardless of David Cameron's tinkering, because it brings investment, jobs and protection for British workers and consumers," he said.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was now "more important than ever" that those who supported Scotland's continued EU membership made the case "as strongly as possible".
What are your views on the deal and the UK's place in the EU? Are you from the UK or one of the other EU member states? Share your reaction. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
What are your views on the deal and the UK's place in the EU? Are you from the UK or one of the other EU member states? Share your reaction. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
