蜜芽传媒

David Cameron is confident of securing "substantive" changes ahead of the UK's referendum, said foreign secretary Philip Hammond.

"We have a clear set of requirements. The prime minister is very clear in dealing with European Union counterparts - that if we are not able to deliver on those big areas of concern that the British people have we will not win the referendum," said Mr Hammond.

Asked if that meant the government would still recommend Britain stay in the EU even if it was not able to secure major reforms, Mr Hammond said: "If our partners do not agree with us - do not work with us to deliver that package - then we rule nothing out."

Mr Hammond said the talks process had just begun but the UK expected to secure a "substantive package of reforms" over the summer and into the winter months.