Philip Hammond has put Theresa May under pressure to promise more money for the Brexit “divorce bill” by suggesting an improved offer will be made to Brussels within three weeks.

Asked if it would soon be clear “what the bill is going to be”, the Chancellor said he was “sure” Britain would set out its financial proposal to the EU in time for a crucial meeting of EU leaders on December 14.

But Brexiteers in the Cabinet are expected to use a crucial Cabinet Brexit committee meeting on Monday to demand that Mrs May sets out exactly what Britain expects to get for its money before a penny more is promised.

Boris Johnson, who sits on the six-person committee, will try to block any move to pay a bigger divorce bill unless Mrs May can be clear about the “end state” she expects the EU to agree to.