Britain's Brexit divorce could rise by billions because of EU spending promises

Britain’s multi-billion pound Brexit divorce bill could rise even further because of Brussels’ spending commitments.

European Union spending promises and pension costs have risen by billions in the past year, which means Britain could get a bigger leaving bill.

The EU’s auditor has said member countries’ annual budget fees are ‘moveable’, because they are linked to commitments that could change.

Currently the UK says it will pay £39 billion – which it has described as ‘reasonable’ – to leave the EU when it ends its membership next March.

It comes amid reports that Prime Minister Theresa May has said France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, believes he can stop Brexit altogether.

Earlier this week she urged the Tory Party to get behind her as she enters the final phase of Brexit negotiations.

The divorce bill costs will be spread out over a potential 46 years, until 2064, but the final figure has not yet been fixed.

Despite London coming up with a figure, the EU has not yet put forward one of its own for how much it believes the UK should pay.

Brussels says the UK has agreed to pay up to £53 billion – and it is yet to agree the £39 billion figure – or propose one of its own.

The issue could prove potentially explosive as Britain and Brussels again try to thrash out an agreement for leaving.

The possibility of a No-deal Brexit is looming, with some warning this could be potentially disastrous for the UK and its businesses.

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Pro-EU supporters outside the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham this week (PA)EU spending promises hit a record £236 billion last year.

Pension liabilities for the EU, which Britain has to pay a share to, have also risen by billions.

The UK has promised to pay a share of bills and any unpaid loans as part of the divorce settlement and will pay towards the EU budget in 2019 and 2020.

A UK Treasury spokesperson told the Guardian: ‘The UK cannot be made to pay for additional spending beyond what it has signed up to as a member.’