UK could increase offer to Brussels on Brexit bill

Chancellor Philip Hammond has indicated that the UK might increase what it will pay the European Union in terms of its “divorce bill” for leaving the Union.

A meeting of senior ministers will take place Monday in order to decide on what can be done to meet the EU’s December deadline for reaching a decision on the amount the UK will pay Brussels.

Pressure was mounted on Prime Minister Theresa May by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Brexit Secretary David Davis to not concede too great a financial settlement unless the EU gave guarantees on trade.

Hammond, however, has said that the Prime Minister had been clear that the UK would meet its obligations to the EU, and was keen on making progress in the December Council discussions.

The EU, which is thought to be asking for a payment of €60 billion for Brexit, had demanded that the UK reach a decision on payment by the time of the European Council summit of December 14-15, if talks were to continue.

Hammond said he was certain the UK would be able to makes its proposals in time for the Council summit.