EU member states must start deregulating their economies and reform their labour markets to boost growth and jobs, David Cameron has urged as he warned Britain was not "immune" to the impact of sluggish economic performance elsewhere in Europe.
As fears grow of a second crisis for the eurozone, the Prime Minister made clear Britain's economy was recovering with renewed growth, more jobs and increased business start-ups.
"But we are not immune to economic problems elsewhere in Europe," he admitted. "There are some worries and concerns about the state of other European economies, so I will be wanting to be hearing about plans others have to make it easier to employ people, to deregulate and to reform to make sure the European economies grow so the British economy can continue (to thrive)."
Mr Cameron will use the summit to set his face against a plea from MEPs for a £5 billion boost to the EU's budget next year.
A UK Government source branded as "unrealistic" the European Parliament's demand for a 146.4bn euro, £115.8bn, budget for 2015, and extra cash to cover overspending in 2014.
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