EU seeks €50 billion from UK for Brexit negotiations

Europe is set to seek a €50 billion (£44 billion) divorce bill, as Britain negotiates a deal to leave the European Union, according to senior European diplomats.

This financial settlement is more than double the amount offered by British Prime Minister Theresa May, which is reported to be around €22 billion.

May’s speech in Florence on Friday stated that Britain “will honour commitments” agreed when it was an EU member, amidst pressure by EU officials who continue to ask for clarifications on the rights of EU citizens in the UK and a monetary deal.

“Before we move forward, we wish to clarify the issue of the regulation of European citizens, the financial terms of the exit and the question of Ireland,” French president Emmanuel Macron said.

May’s Florence speech will be scrutinized during talks scheduled in Brussels on Monday 25 September, which will be attended by 100 UK officials.

The EU remains steadfast in its demands that Britain continues to pay into the European Union budget for a transitional two years following Brexit.

“This is just a payment for the remaining financial framework period,” Ales Chmelar, the Czech secretary for European affairs told the BBC.

“This is not a payment for all the legacies that we see, including for example the pensions and the legacies in terms of grants and funds.”