Work on settling Britain's financial obligations to the EU when it leaves is not even halfway done, the French president has said.

Emmanuel Macron said Britain was far from what was needed for settling its financial settlement – which is estimated to be at least £20 billion.

“A lot is in the hands of Theresa May,” Macron said in a news conference at the end of a European Council summit in Brussels.

"If, as Prime Minister May said in Florence, we want to make sure that no-one will have to pay more or receive less, and if we want to make sure the UK will comply with all its commitments made as a member of the EU ... I would say we are far from having reached the necessary financial commitments before we can open phase two.

"I can only underline how much work needs to be done."

"I would say we are far from having reached the necessary financial commitments before we can open phase two," he added. "We are not halfway there."

'No decisive progress' on Brexit, says EU negotiator Michel Barnier

Mr Macron’s comments echo those of other national leaders who have expressed concern at the lack of progress on the divorce bill. Dutch PM Mark Rutte also said at the summit in the British side wanted progress it would have to move towards coming up with a number.

But Theresa May said this morning that a final agreement on a figure could only come as part of the final deal.

“I’ve been very clear all along as the UK has, all along throughout this, that the full and final settlement will come as part of the final agreement that we’re getting in relation to the future partnership. I think that’s absolutely right,” she said at a separate press conference at the summit.

Tusk: Reports of a deadlock have been "exaggerated" and talks should reach second phase in December

The divorce bill has the main sticking point of talks because the EU says it will not discuss future trade relationships without it being settled, and the UK says it cannot be settled without discussing the future relationship.

There are some mixed messages coming out of the EU side at the summit, however. Angela Merkel struck a more positive on arrival, saying she was optimistic of a move to trade talks by December.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

Council president Donald Tusk on Friday also told reporters he did not believe there was a "deadlock" in negotiations, contradicting a statement by Commission chief negotiator Michel Barnier.