David Cameron triggered a war of words after challenging Eurocrats to cut their own pay instead of seeking more money from national exchequers.

After a summit in Brussels, the Prime Minister repeated warnings that Britain will block an EU budget deal in negotiations next month unless Brussels shows the same restraint as national authorities.

He added: "My favourite figure for the day... there is, I think, 16% of employees at the European Commission earning over €100,000 [more than £80,000].

"What we have done in Britain is we have cracked down on the central administration, the costs of Whitehall.

"There are things that are more important and we need to see that kind of approach [from Brussels]."

EU officials said the 16% referred only to about 12,000 in senior-grade civil-service and not the entire 35,000-strong workforce.

Government officials then claimed the average salary across all 55,000 staff employed by the three key EU bodies – European Commission, Council of Ministers and European Parliament, worked out at €102,000.

Mr Cameron also denied claims that the UK was marginalised by its refusal to become involved in reforms to shore up the ailing single currency.

He was speaking after EU leaders agreed on the first stage towards a comprehensive banking union within the eurozone.