David Cameron pledges £100m for Syria refugee camps

Mr Cameron’s attempts to win support have not been helped by his refusal to sign up to the Franco-German refugee resettlement plan but the PM has continually raised Britain’s aid contribution as evidence that the country is playing its part.

Arriving late to the estate, Mr Hollande apologised to the Prime Minister, who told him “no worries” as the pair shook hands on the front steps in front of members of the press.

“We must make sure that people in refugee camps are properly fed, and looked after, not least to help them but also to stop people wanting to make or thinking of making this very, very hard and very risky journey to Europe“.

Cameron’s money pitch came after four Eastern European nations – the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania – voted against a plan adopted Tuesday to relocate 120,000 migrants to other member states over the next two years to ease the strain on Italy and Greece.

During their meeting at Chequers, the British prime minister’s country residence, Hollande and Cameron will compare notes on diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Syria as well as cooperation with neighbouring states to stem the flow of refugees, the diplomat said.

Hungary, for one, has been getting much of the migrant traffic, and is using high walls, razor wire and new laws to try to keep refugees out.

Britain – which is not required to take part as it it not part of the “borderless” Schengen area – has exercised its right to opt out.

Also, some £14.5m will provide assistance and protection in countries that refugees and migrants are leaving from and transiting through, including help for those already in Europe.

Mr Tusk warned the numbers of refugees trying to reach Europe from the Middle East could reach millions as the turmoil in the region continued.

However Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico said his country was not prepared to implement the relocation plan and warned that it could mount a legal challenge through the European Court of Justice.

Mr Hollande enquired as to where Mr Cameron’s portrait was, in response to which the Prime Minister pointed to the space next to Gordon Brown, saying: “I will be here – they don’t go up until you’re finished”.

The Head of the LGA’s refugee task group, Dave Simmonds, said: “We are pressing [the] Government on exactly how the scheme will operate”.

On Wednesday night, European Union leaders are to vote on ratifying the deal. Therefore we need to correct the policy of open doors and windows.

Following the summit, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said the meeting took place in a “better-than-expected atmosphere”.