Gareth Thomas MP, Labour’s Shadow Europe Minister, responding to the Times splash, said:

“Ed Miliband announced this month that Labour will work to extend the period EU citizens have to wait before claiming UK benefits to six months.

"Ed Miliband has set out real reforms to make Europe work better for Britain, whilst David Cameron has spent more time negotiating with his eurosceptic backbenchers than setting out plans for reform of the EU.

"Unlike the Conservatives, Labour in government will be as bold in defending membership of the EU as we are in pushing for real change in Europe.”