Brexit: Cameron fails to get EU Parliament assurances over emergency brake - by James Crisp

UK Prime Minister David Cameron today (16 February) in Brussels failed to gain assurances from European Parliament leaders that they would pass unchanged the so-called emergency brake mechanism to stop new EU migrants to Britain claiming in-work benefits.

The mechanism is one of the most controversial demands for EU reform made by Cameron, who has demanded the changes as his price for campaigning for the UK to stay in the bloc.

Cameron has already agreed to water down his initial demands for a total ban on EU migrants claiming the welfare for four years to a sliding scale, with payments increasing over three set time periods.

How long those time periods will be has not yet been agreed by diplomats preparing for this Thursday’s crunch summit of EU leaders. That now looks likely to be decided by heads of state and government, if at all.

The British social security system pays in-work benefits as a right, rather than using a contributory system built up over time like many other European countries.

The UK argues that this justifies it being given special treatment, something affording to it by European Council President Donald Tusk’s settlement deal.

Cameron travelled to Brussels this morning to meet with European Parliament leaders. Under the terms of the settlement brokered by Tusk, the emergency brake mechanism is subject to European Parliament backing.

In the “ordinary legislative procedure” the deal foresees, MEPs would have the chance to debate and change the bill. Before it can become EU law, an identical text must be agreed with the EU Council.

Read more: Cameron fails to get EU Parliament assurances over emergency brake – EurActiv.com

Cameron meets Merkel in last pre-summit referendum talks - by Robert Hackwill

British Prime Minister David Cameron has visited Germany for talks with Angela Merkel, among the last he’ll have before an EU summit next week when he hopes to agree a deal with Britain’s partners on reforms.

The substance of what has been conceded and agreed on is unclear, but Cameron says that Britain is not only seeking to preserve its interests as reforms will benefit everyone.

“If by working together we can achieve these changes then I will unequivocally recommend that Britain stays in a reformed European Union on these new terms,” he said.

Fears are rising the British public has had enough and will vote to leave in this year’s referendum. The refugee crisis has changed many previously pro-European minds.

“You all know my opinion. I want the UK to be an active part of a successful EU also in the future…This is our German interest and , I can only say this softly, I think this is also in the British interest but also surely in the interest of all of Europe,” said Chancellor Merkel in the splendid banqueting hall of Hamburg town hall.

Britain is seeking to restrict benefit eligibility for certain migrants, and have more say in the running of its affairs from Brussels. Some members support the British position, while others are very sceptical of anything that weakens the sacred principle of free movement.

Read more: Cameron meets Merkel in last pre-summit referendum talks | euronews, world news

UK: Brexit: 'I don't want to be in no man's land': most 'Brexit Brits' seeking second passports - by Guardian Reporters in the EU

Across Europe British expats fear that if the UK leaves the European Union the lives they have built up abroad could be destroyed.

 Britons have been wrong-footed by the sudden lurch closer to EU exit. The Guardian spoke to Brits in five European countries about action they are taking to ensure Euroscepticism doesn’t ruin their lives.

All the people interviewed deplored the idea.

Aiden Macfarlane - a British national living in Sweden says: “I love the space and the freedom here, and people have different things to talk about than house prices,” says Macfarlane, 58, from Manchester. “The quality of my life cannot be compared to England – I’ve forgotten what stress is.”

But now the dream is crumbling and stress is staging a comeback for Macfarlane in the form of Britain’s impending referendum on leaving the EU.

He is worried about the consequences for his right to run a business in Sweden, and is urgently trying to become a Swedish citizen.

But his tour company is just a year old, and even though he has lived here for three years it is only his time paying tax that counts towards the necessary residence period to qualify for citizenship.

“I don’t want to get stuck in a no man’s land,” Macfarlane says. “What happens to my business? I have worked very hard to build it up. What happens to my right to live here?”

As all of the Expats interviewed said : "BREXIT would be the most ridiculous thing Britain could do." 

For the complete report click here: 'I don't want to be in no man's land': the 'Brexit Brits' seeking second passports | Politics | The Guardian