2 WEEKS FOR US TO SETTLE BREXIT BILLS
‘Tell what UK will pay and break deadlock’
BRITAIN has just a fortnight to say it will cough up tens of billions more and break the deadlock on Brexit, the EU’s chief negotiator warned yesterday.
Michel Barnier’s message came as a sixth round of talks in Brussels ended without a breakthrough.
The Frenchman said clarification on the money Britain is ready to pay as part of a divorce deal was necessary if he is to urge that trade talks can start when the European Commission meets next month.
A source familiar with the talks played down fears trade talks would be delayed until March if Britain misses the deadline, suggesting that Brussels would remain “flexible”. But France and Germany have warned they could push talks into 2018 if the UK does not soon move on money.
PM Theresa May was last night reportedly ready to increase Britain’s offer significantly beyond the £18billion she put on the table in her Florence speech in September. It came amid suggestions Eurosceptic Tory backbenchers might be willing to tolerate a more costly bill if it ensured a speedy deal on trade.
Meanwhile, Mrs May yesterday announced her Government planned to write the exact date of Brexit – March 29 2019 – into law to try to head off speculation that the timing could slip if talks do not go to plan.
The latest round of meetings in Brussels focused on the divorce bill, Northern Ireland, and citizens’ rights.
Brexit Secretary David Davis said “significant technical progress” was made on the issues. He told of “frank discussions” on Northern Ireland with the UK “firmly committed” to avoiding a hard border”.
But Labour MP Ian Murray last said talks were “stuck in quicksand”.