Brexit latest: Most Brits believe 'the EU are trying to punish UK' with £50bn divorce bill, poll suggests

Protesters march against Brexit

REUTERS

Fiona Simpson3 December 2017

Britons have said £50 billion is too much for the UK to pay out for the Brexit divorce bill.

Voters hit out at the huge sum in the first major public opinion poll since it was revealed how much the Government was willing to pay out so negotiations could progress.

Almost half of people polled by Survation for the Mail on Sunday said the EU had come out on top over the deal.

Just 16 per cent of people said the UK were dominating the talks.

When asked why the EU had called for such a huge sum of money, most people selected the option “because the EU want to punish us”, the Mail on Sunday reported.

Thousands of anti-Brexit activists march to Parliament in protest

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Some 57 per cent of respondents said the UK should refuse to pay the £50bn divorce bill, the results added.

Four out of 10 people asked said Britain should not have to pay to leave the EU at all.

A total of 17 per cent of people said Theresa May should offer a maximum of £10bn but 40 per cent of people backtracked suggesting the Government should spend £50bn if it is the only way to strike a trade deal.

Just 38 per cent of people called for a “hard-Brexit” meaning the UK would leave the single market.

Prime Minister Theresa May

EPA

24 per cent of people said they would prefer a softer option of quitting the bloc while 28 per cent said Brexit was a mistake and called to stay in the EU.

Half of the 1,003 asked urged the Government to hold a second referendum on the final Brexit deal.

The UK is set to leave the EU in March 2019, with the Prime Minister entering into another round of talks with Brussels this month.

Just 30 per cent of those asked said they were “excited” by the prospect of Brexit.

Earlier this week, the value of the pound hit a two month high against the dollar amid growing hopes of a Brexit “divorce bill” deal.

Sterling topped $1.35 on Thursday and rose 0.4 per cent against the euro to €1.1364.

At 4pm, the pound was $1.3529 compared to $1.346 at the previous close. The euro at was at £0.8806, down from £0.8826.

It comes amid speculation that Brussels and London were closing in on an agreement on the much-anticipated financial settlement, reportedly between £40 and £49 billion.

Striking the deal would mean talks could move onto a trade deal.