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Tim Iredale
Political editor, Yorkshire & Lincolnshire
Cameron says EU exit is not solution to migration fears
A large number of migrant workers have settled in Lincolnshire to serve the food production industry
David Cameron has said pulling out of the European Union would not ease the tension caused by immigration in some communities.
The Prime Minister said welfare reform would encourage more British-born workers to compete with EU nationals in the labour market.
Mr Cameron was responding to concerns raised in a report on the impact of migration on the Lincolnshire town of Boston.
Recent years have seen a large number of migrant workers settle in Lincolnshire and surrounding counties to serve the food production industry.
Some claim the arrival of families from Eastern Europe has put pressure on public services and excluded British people from many jobs.
EU referendum?“Start Quote
End Quote David Cameron PMBut I don't want us to leave the European Union because we are a trading nation. We need those markets open”
In an interview with BBC Look North, David Cameron said: "If we have a welfare system that encourages and pays people to go out to work, rather than stay at home, there'll be more British people in those jobs and fewer people coming from Europe to do those jobs.
"But I don't want us to leave the European Union because we are a trading nation. We need those markets open."
At the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, David Cameron suggested there could be a referendum on the UK's future in the EU.
The Prime Minister told the BBC that a public vote would be the "cleanest, neatest, simplest, most sensible" way to resolve the issue.
Some would argue that our future role in the EU (or lack of it) cannot be properly assessed until the financial uncertainty in the Eurozone is settled.
Europe on agendaHowever, many of Mr Cameron's own MPs are urging him to commit to a timescale for a referendum.
Many of David Cameron's own MPs are urging him to commit to a timescale for a Europe referendum
Speaking to the Sunday Politics in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, the Conservative MP for Cleethorpes Martin Vickers said: "I'd like to see the government put forward a clear timetable towards a referendum.
"I don't think the issue will be settled until the British people have had a chance to vote on it."
Whether David Cameron likes it or not, the many issues surrounding Europe are firmly back on the main agenda of British politics.
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Comment number 8.
Benaulty12th October 2012 - 23:43
Goodbye DC, you're stuffed in 2015!
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Comment number 7.
Chris Butler12th October 2012 - 12:40
The sad thing is he really believes this. That's why he will be a 1 term Prime Minister in a party who will not see power for a long long time after 2015. Just because you keep saying it doesn't mean we will conform to your skewed thinking... I am not one for wishing your life away but roll on 2015.
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Comment number 6.
addh12th October 2012 - 11:11
if we cut the benefits or raise minimum wage so there is a significant difference in remaining unemployed and employed on min wage.. a lot of problems would be solved.. wonder when the govt will do this
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Comment number 5.
historical12th October 2012 - 0:41
I think the people from Eastern Europe came here to find work as there is insufficient work in their own countries, just like our workers who went to Germany during the 70's to find work. Always the excuse by people who don't know, to say there are jobs our own people don't want to do. The truth of the matter is there are insufficient jobs in the UK to support our own population.
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Comment number 4.
ronnieboy111th October 2012 - 17:45
#3 absolute rubbish....I would love a low paid job if i was out of work, these people come over here and take our jobs and use our facilities which i have paid for all my life. if i went over there and took their jobs the'd soon be moaning, as far as im concerned they can all clear off.
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Comments 5 of 8