All you need to know about David Cameron’s EU reform deal

David Cameron and Donald Tusk shaking on it (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

So David Cameron has finally reached a deal on the EU, and is holding a referendum on June 23.

Hoorah! (Although the date is clashing with Glastonbury…)

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But what is actually in this deal – and what could it mean for our relationship with Europe?

What’s happening with our money?

Money money money (Picture: Getty Images)

We are not in the eurozone – so, for the first time, the pound is officially protected.

This mainly means that responsibility for Britain’s financial stability now rests solely in our own hands.

On top of this, British taxpayers will never be made to bail out countries in the eurozone, and UK businesses cannot be discriminated against for not being in the eurozone.
What does the deal say about immigration?

Immigration has famously been one of the sticking points in negotiations with the rest of the EU – but it seems the talks have been fruitful.
Criminals

For those worried about criminals moving across borders, there will be additional powers to deport them if they commit crimes here – and to stop them coming over in the first place.

Anyone coming to Britain from the EU who doesn’t find work within six months can be required to leave.

There will also be an ’emergency brake’, so the UK can stop paying in-work benefits to low-waged migrants for seven years.

Host nations will also be able to cut migrant workers’ child benefit payments for children living overseas to the same rate paid in their home countries.
Marriages

Say goodbye to those Tuscan villa dreams – for a few years anyway (Picture: Getty Images)

Non-EU nationals who marry EU citizens won’t get free-movement rights anymore.

So if someone in Germany marries someone from outside the EU, their spouse won’t automatically be able to move to the UK.

But this cuts both ways – if you marry someone from outside the EU, you’re not going to be able to live in that villa in the south of France until they become a citizen themselves.

This is one of a few measures to prevent sham marriages for residence rights.
And what about our sovereignty?

What’s the deal with one’s sovereignty? (Picture: Getty Images)

Remember the phrase ‘ever closer union’ that everyone was so worried about?

Well, Cameron’s initial attempts to more or less leave the phrase null and void were scrapped in the final text.

However, the final deal does include an amendment that states the phrase ‘does not apply to the United Kingdom’.

So there we go – it’s still there, but we’re exempt.

When will all this come into effect?

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Essentially, if and when we vote to remain in the EU. If we vote to leave, of course, all of the above will be moot.

[Metro]