Following Cameron's unexpectedly strong win in last week's British general election, attention has now turned to London's relationship with Brussels, with the prime minister promising the British public a referendum on EU membership by 2017.
Cameron has publicly declared that he would prefer the UK to stay within the EU, but only if some reforms are made to Britain's membership agreement with the bloc.
A major point of contention between the UK and Brussels has been the issue of migrant workers and their subsequent rights in accessing social security and welfare benefits in Britain — which is seen to have a favourable benefits system.
While there has been talk within the UK about introducing caps for EU migrants, Brussels has consistently ensured that the principle of free movement among member states is something that cannot be negotiated on.
EU moves ahead with military response to migration; pushes for Europe-wide migrant "quotas" http://t.co/nJ4Du8g2CN
— Statewatch (@StatewatchEU) May 11, 2015
As part of efforts to reduce immigration, Cameron introduced proposals late last year that would stop migrants claiming benefits in Britain for the first four years of their stay, while those who fail to find work would be forced to leave the country.
However, experts have suggested that such proposals would trigger an EU treaty change, and would subsequently need the support of member states.
Migrant Rights Are 'Red Line' in Negotiations
These proposals, along with the perceived anti-immigration rhetoric from the UK's ruling Conservative party has led to a warning from officials in Eastern European countries not to alter migrant worker rights, amid the inevitable negotiations between London and Brussels.
Peter Javorčík, Slovakia's Europe minister was quoted by the Financial Times saying the free movement of EU workers "cannot be touched," while Szabolcs Takács, Hungary's EU minister, said it was a "red line" issue.
"We don't like it when Hungarian workers are called migrants, they are EU citizens with the freedom to work in other European countries," he added.
What do we know about EU migration to the UK? http://t.co/p1XQn00fr2 @heindehaas @migrationsystem @CitiesMigration pic.twitter.com/nh6HjGkn2f
— Leo lucassen (@Leolucassen) May 8, 2015
Joining the combined warning to Mr Cameron was Polish Europe Minister Rafał Trzaskowski, who has previously spoken out against migrant welfare proposals.
"We are ready to sit at the table and talk about what needs to be reformed…but when it comes to immigration, our red lines are well known."
This call also comes as former European Commission President Juan Manual Barosso, reiterated that the principle of free movement was inviolable.
Positive or Negative: the Perks of Being in the EU
Recent EU data revealed that the UK (498,000) has the second highest number of migrants among member states, behind Germany (592,200), with Eurosceptics in Britain arguing the increase is placing a strain on the UK's economy.
Over 1million migrants arrived from Eastern Europe when they threw open the UK’s borders in 2004. #NotVotingLabour
— Angela (@mizzaggie) May 6, 2015
Many argue that the influx of immigrants is having a negative impact on Britain's social security benefits, and is placing increased pressure on health services and housing.
However, this has been countered by others, who suggest that Britain is far better off economically as a result of being in the bloc, as workers from other EU states contribute significantly to the UK's coffers by paying tax.
A study undertaken by researchers at University College London (UCL) concluded that migrants from EU member states had contributed $31 billion (£20 billion) to the British economy between 2001 and 2011, which was then used to improve health and welfare systems.
Talks between British Prime Minister David Cameron and European Union officials over the UK's membership in the bloc are expected to continue throughout the year.
