Cameron in Brussels

The prime minister has pushed his fellow EU heads of government to commit to protect Britain from the need to contribute to new Eurozone bailout funds.

EU leaders have agreed on the wording of a new mechanism designed to replace a 750 billion euro temporary fund for rescuing ailing eurozone economies.

The plans require a change in the Lisbon treaty, but will not affect the UK.

Separately, Mr Cameron is pushing for greater restraint in the EU budget, attempting to build support among his colleagues for a more austere system for the next six-year tranch of spending.