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Monday, June 26, 2017

UK Prime Minister Theresa May seals an agreement with the DUP to prop her up in power Monday June 26,2017

UK Prime Minister Theresa May breathed a sigh of relief ton Monday June 26,2017 as she finally sealed an agreement with the DUP to prop her up in power.

After more than two weeks of intense wrangling and with just days to go until crucial vote on the Queen's Speech, the Tories and the Northern Ireland party put the stamp on a deal that shores up the PM's majority in the Commons.

The arrangement dramatically boosts Mrs May's chances of clinging on as PM after the disastrous election that stripped her of her overall Commons majority.

But it has come at a significant price -  with around £1billion of extra funding on schools, hospitals and infrastructure for the province over the next two years.

THE COST OF POWER: WHAT IS IN THE TORY-DUP DEAL  

  • Overall an extra £1billion of funding will be ploughed into Northern Ireland's schools, NHS and infrastructure over the next two years.
  • This includes £200million in each of the next two years on infrastructure projects, including the York Street Interchange. It also includes £75million in each of the next two years for ultra fast broadband.
  • Another £20million a year for five years will be spent to alleviate poverty in poor areas of the province.
  • Health and education services will be handed an extra £50million in each of the next two years to tackle 'immediate pressures'.
  • The NHS in Northern Ireland will also be reformed via £100million in each of the next two years.  
  • Tory manifesto plans to scrap the triple lock for the state pension and curb winter fuel payments to wealthy pensioners are abandoned. 
  • Commitment to keep defence spending at 2 per cent of GDP, and extending the armed forces covenant to Northern Ireland.
  • Promise to secure a Brexit that benefits the whole of the United Kingdom.



The  DUP is also claiming credit for the Tories ditching two key manifesto pledges - which would have seen the end of the triple lock on pensions and curbs to winter fuel payments for pensioners. The deal will run until the next election - and be reviewed at the start of every parliamentary session.


The Tory and DUP chief whips signed the deal in Downing Street today as Theresa May and Arlene Foster looked on. Pictured left to right, DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds, Mrs Foster, DUP chief whip Jeffrey Donaldson, Tory chief whip Gavin Williamson, Mrs May, First Secretary of State Damian Green



DUP will remain outside Government but ensure the Tories stay in office by supporting them on financial measures and no-confidence votes.

It means that Mrs May now has an effective majority of 13 in the House of Commons, once the 10 DUP MPs are added to the 317 Tories.





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