Stephanie Flanders, the BBC's economics editor, explained to today presenter sarah Montague that even if David Cameron "lost" on getting the freeze that he will be looking for, the increase that would come into place over the next few years "is actually very small" in comparison to the increase that the UK has had to pay in recent years.

BBC: Bernard Jenkin: EU budget is 'scandal in public life'

"It is hugely embarrassing for David Cameron that he has had to have the difference between borrowing and debt explained to him by the chair of the UK Statistics Authority, " Ms Reeves said.

BBC: Politicians urged to avoid mixing up debt and deficit