Treasury data published by the House of Commons Library showed the annual gross contribution to Brussels coffers was one of the highest in the UKs 47 years as a member of the European bloc. The huge sum from taxpayers - nearly a billion pounds more than the previous year - was equivalent to more than 500 for every household in the UK.

It would have been around 4.5billion higher without the rebate won by the then prime minister Margaret Thatcher during budget negotiations in the 1980s.

Figures showed around 5billion was returned to the UK under EU spending schemes last year, giving a total net contribution for 2019 of 9.4billion.

Tory MP Peter Bone, a leading figure in the Brexit campaign, said: This is a huge sum of money. It shows why this country was right to leave the EU.

Our contribution was set to rise even higher if we stayed in the EU. We have basically been subsidising other European countries.

"My constituents did not consider that a fair and reasonable deal.

Britain, which formally quit the EU at the end of this year, is expected to pay a similar amount to Brussels this year for continuing EU single market and customs union membership during the transition out of the blocs rules.

Britains obligation to contribute to the EU budget is set to end once the transition expires at the end of this year.

READ MORE: 'Fake British' super-trawlers from EU must be BANNED forever

But under the departure deals, the UK could still have to pay money to Brussels for many years.

The House of Commons Library research paper said: The UK and EU have some outstanding financial obligations to each other that they are settling through a financial settlement.

The obligations arise out of the UKs participation in the EU budget and broader aspects of its EU membership.

DON'T MISSStilton drives wedge between Britain and Japan [INSIGHT]80% of UK fishing taken by EU - we need to RECLAIM our seas [ANALYSIS]Farage predicts what Brexit will look like on Jan 1 [LIVE BLOG]

The Office for Budget Responsibility, Whitehalls financial watchdog, has estimated that the settlement may cost the UK around 33 billion once the final payment is made, possibly in the 2060s.

Britains contribution has varied year to year based on economic performance and other Brussels criteria.

The biggest annual sum, a gross contribution of 16billion and net of 11.5billion, was paid in 2013.

Read the original:

Brexit Britain gave EU eye-watering 14.4bn in final year of membership -Right to leave! - Daily Express