The Prime Minister will demand significant changes in how the EU's structural funds are spent at a budget summit later this month, after pressure from his own Tory rebels demanding a tougher stance on the EU’s budget on Tuesday.
The EU currently has a £279billion for its structural fund, which UK taxpayers contribute £4.2 billion a year to, that is designed to help the poorer countries in the continent, The Sunday Telegraph reported.
Mr Cameron will demand a freeze on the amount countries pay to the fund, while also asking that richer countries do not receive structural funds and that the money is channeled into less privileged nations.
Mr Cameron has faced repeated comparisons to John Major, whose premiership was dominated by Tory splits over Europe and endless debates on the Maastricht Treaty which eroded his authority.
The Com Res survey for pro-referendum campaign group the People's Pledge revealed that about two-thirds of voters in the constituency want a referendum on whether the UK remains wedded to Brussels.
Conservative cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith insisted the Prime Minister deserved credit for his tough stance on the EU budget and repatriating powers.
He also confirmed that Mr Cameron would pledge a referendum on Britain's relationship with the EU - saying it was just a matter of when and on what.
Asked whether Mr Cameron would be bringing forward proposals for a referendum, Mr Duncan Smith pointed out that the premier was due to make a key speech on Europe in the coming weeks.
"The Prime Minister has said he is not against a referendum. It is just a matter of when and on what. We are looking at that at the moment" he said.
The Work and Pensions Secretary refused to state whether he personally wanted to see Britain leave the EU.
However, he insisted the country could thrive inside or outside the grouping.
- Tags: Londo David Cameron EU budget European_Union's_budget Brussels Prime Minister Tory rebels £279billion Sunday_Telegraph John Major Maastricht Treaty Com Res People's Pledge Conservative_cabinet_minister_Iain_Duncan_Smith
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