The idea of an “emergency brake” has been discussed by diplomats before. However, Downing Street had hoped that any brake would mean Britain being allowed to temporarily impose a cap on the number of foreigners coming to the UK.
Mr Cameron’s renegotiation is understood to have reached an impasse in recent days, as European leaders continue to oppose Britain’s demands on limiting migrants’ access to benefits.
The Prime Minister is on Friday travelling to Brussels to hold urgent talks with Jean Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission.
He will then meet Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council on Sunday. Mr Tusk was next week expected to publish details of the renegotiation deal being offered to Mr Cameron.
However, it is now thought that this could be delayed, leading to fears that Mr Cameron may not now be able to secure a final deal at February’s European Council meeting.
That raises the prospect of the in-out referendum being delayed until the autumn, which could increase the chance of “Brexit” as the migration crisis is forecast to spike during the summer.
Source: http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/579309/s/4d326253/sc/13/l/0L0Stelegraph0O0Cnews0Cnewstopics0Ceureferendum0C121278290CDavid0ECameron0Ebeing0Eoffered0Ewatered0Edown0Eemergency0Ebrake0Eon0Emigrants0Eby0EBrussels0Bhtml/story01.htm