GETTY Some MEPs fear the EU is planning a 'social union', a centralised welfare state

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Senior MEPs fear Brussels is planning a “social union” but legislation is being held back until after June’s referendum. Already plans for a common European unemonth by Commissioner Marianne Thyssen and would start with the eurozone countries but would see other EU members put under strong pressure to join. The concerns have been highlighted by Tory MEP David Campbell Bannerman who has said that the European Commission is holding back a massive amount of centralising legislation until after the referendum.

GETTY Tory MEP David Campbell Bannerman said the EU are delaying potential centralising legislation

While David Cameron claims that the concessions he negotiated would make Britain exempt from any further Brussels centralisation, opponents have pointed out that if a British government signs up to a new “social union” then Britain would be stuck with it. Yesterday Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn made it clear he and his party wanted a social union with the EU. He said: “We want people to vote to remain in the EU so that we can develop a social Europe.” In her speech last month, Ms Thyssen, the Belgian Commissioner in charge of social affairs, discussed a consultation on a “social union” which will be open until the end of the year, describing it as vital “for Europe to be successful in the future and, equally important, to remain credible for European citizens”.

GETTY Britain will vote on whether to leave the European Union in a referendum on June 23

She said: “This Commission is seriously committed to working towards a social triple A for Europe.

The reality is that a tsunami of new EU laws...is being held back like a dam because of the UK referendum David Campbell Bannerman, Tory MEP

“We deliver proposals to address the concrete concerns of the people and we present a broad, holistic vision for a futureproof European social model.” Mr Campbell Bannerman warned that the social union plans would be sprung once the British referendum is out of the way. He said: “We know that this Parliament has mysteriously 80 per cent less legislation than the last one – so far. “The reality is that a tsunami of new EU laws, such as a new common welfare system for the EU is being held back like a dam because of the UK referendum.

“If we vote to remain we will be hit by a giant wave of hidden EU laws and the British people will feel totally deceived. “If you are heading for a superstate then the logical thing is to have common pensions and a common welfare system and that is precisely what is happening. “It is clear that if we stay in then we will be heading towards that as well and the prospect is truly terrifying.” Dr Julia Reid, Ukip’s welfare spokeswoman, said: “These moves are nothing short of great drive for EU integration that will further erode the power of Westminster and Britain as a whole. “It should be up to our own Parliament to make decisions on these matters not unelected Eurocrats.

GETTY Jeremy Corbyn made it clear he and his party wanted a social union with the EU