SUPPORT for a break with the European Union would soar if the Tories used membership negotiations to attack workers’ rights, a new TUC survey suggested yesterday.

The poll of over 4,000 voters showed that 55 per cent of respondents were more likely to support staying in the EU if it “did more to help working people get decent pay and conditions at work.”

But just 23 per cent said they would be more likely to back Britain’s membership if it “did more to cut red tape on businesses.”

The results were revealed after bosses’ club the Confederation of British Industry president Mike Rake admitted last week that he wanted Prime Minister David Cameron to target workers’ rights in “EU reform” negotiations.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said the result should be a “warning shot” to the CBI and the Tories.

“If they opportunistically use renegotiation to call for weaker employment rights they will make getting a Yes vote much harder,” she said.

Plans for an in-out referendum, which could happen as soon as next May, will be part of the government’s programme set out in the Queen’s speech in Parliament today.

The latest YouGov poll on the issue suggests that Britain would vote to remain in the EU by 44 per cent to 36.

But Ms O’Grady added: “Support for staying in Europe will haemorrhage if ordinary Britons feel their working lives are going to be made worse.

“Chipping away at paid holidays, rest breaks, maternity rights and fair treatment for part-time and agency ­workers is the last thing ­people want.”

Mr Cameron is targeting European laws that prohibit excessive working hours, which Britain also “opts out” of and protect agency workers.

In addition to attacking ­workers’ rights, he wants to secure the right to cap immigration from inside the EU and limit migrants’ access to ­benefits.

The Tory PM hosted European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker at Chequers yesterday and will go on a tour of European capitals next week in a bid to secure support.

But according to YouGov, just 25 per cent of ­voters believe Mr Cameron will achieve a “better” deal for Britain.