May to test limits of money pledges in unlocking Brexit talks

London

UK Prime Minister Theresa May is said to be weighing whether to accept for the first time the need to discuss the European Union's demand for a "Brexit bill" of tens of billions of pounds, in a move designed to kick-start stalled negotiations in Brussels.

Mrs May will hold talks with her cabinet ministers before deciding how far she can go in promising money to the EU when she makes a landmark speech on Brexit in Florence, Italy, on Friday, a person familiar with the matter said. The premier has also signalled that she will try to bypass EU negotiator Michel Barnier in an appeal to heads of the other 27 EU governments, even as the bloc's unity appears steadfast.

"What I will be doing on Friday is setting out an update on where we are and looking ahead in the negotiations," Mrs May told reporters travelling with her to the United Nations. "The Council has given a mandate to the Commission, which has appointed Michel Barnier, but the decision will be taken by leaders." Mrs May is likely to say that Britain will continue to pay into the EU until 2020 when the budget period runs out, even though the country is scheduled to leave the bloc on March 2…