Brexit divorce bill 'set to rise by billions' as Theresa May prepares to make fresh offer ahead of EU summit

Brexit talks: Theresa May and Donald Tusk
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The prime minister is facing mounting pressure to spell out what she hopes the country will gain from paying more to the EU, amid reports the UK's Brexit divorce bill is to rise by billions of pounds.

Theresa May will attempt to reach a consensus over the proposed offer at a meeting of her cabinet committee on EU strategy later today.

It comes after Phillip Hammond said the Government would make a fresh offer to Brussels ahead of a crucial EU summit next month.

While the Chancellor put no figure on the table, reports have emerged that the EU will not consider a payment of less than £40billion.

This is double the figure Theresa May previously offered.

Ministers are preparing for a crunch meeting on the issue today ahead of next month’s summit where leaders are to decide whether post-Brexit trade talks with the UK will begin.

Phillip Hammond discussed the issue on the BBC's Andrew Marr show on Sunday
BBC

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier put a 14 day deadline on Britain to outline what they are prepared to pay as a controversial exit bill last week.

Mr Hammond confirmed on Sunday that Britain would make an improved offer to the EU within three and a half weeks.

Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, he said: “We will make our proposals to the European Union in time for the council [on December 14], I am sure about that”.

The Chancellor said the UK would “negotiate hard” on the financial settlement.

The Prime Minister will try to reach a consensus over a proposed offer when she meets senior ministers at the EU strategy cabinet committee today.

The meeting comes at a time of continued tensions within the cabinet over the UK’s departure from the bloc.

It emerged earlier this month that a letter from Boris Johnson and Michael Gove gave Mrs May apparent instruction to dictate a hard Brexit.

The Cabinet ministers delivered blunt instructions to the PM, demanding that transition arrangements for Britain's exit from the European Union must end on June 30 2021, according to the Mail on Sunday.

The pair also urged the Prime Minister to ensure rebel members of her top team fall in line with Brexit plans by "clarifying their minds".

They called for them to "internalise the logic".

The leaked letters came as it was reported that 40 MPs signed a letter of no confidence in Mrs May, as many feel she is hindering EU negotiations.

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