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DUP-Tory deal signed in Downing Street DUP-Tory deal signed in Downing Street
(35 minutes later)
A "confidence and supply" deal between the Tories and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has been signed with up to £1.5bn being made available to Northern Ireland as part of the agreement.A "confidence and supply" deal between the Tories and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has been signed with up to £1.5bn being made available to Northern Ireland as part of the agreement.
Pictures from inside Downing Street showed the deal being signed by the DUP's Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Gavin Williamson of the Conservative Party.Pictures from inside Downing Street showed the deal being signed by the DUP's Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Gavin Williamson of the Conservative Party.
Theresa May has sought the support of the DUP's 10 MPs after losing her majority in the general election.Theresa May has sought the support of the DUP's 10 MPs after losing her majority in the general election.
Talks began after the poll on 8 June.Talks began after the poll on 8 June.
The government has published full details of the agreement online.The government has published full details of the agreement online.
As well as the financial commitments, the two parties have also agreed there will be no change to the pensions triple-lock or the universal winter fuel payment, that they will meet a NATO commitment of spending 2% of GDP on the armed forces, and that they will implement the Armed Forces Covenant in Northern Ireland.As well as the financial commitments, the two parties have also agreed there will be no change to the pensions triple-lock or the universal winter fuel payment, that they will meet a NATO commitment of spending 2% of GDP on the armed forces, and that they will implement the Armed Forces Covenant in Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin has previously refused to support implementing the military covenant in Northern Ireland.Sinn Féin has previously refused to support implementing the military covenant in Northern Ireland.
Mrs May described the deal as a "very, very good one". The Prime Minister described the deal as a "very, very good one".
In a letter outlining the terms of the deal to Conservative MPs, Mrs May said: "Northern Ireland's unique circumstances, not least the legacy of the Troubles, means that it faces specific challenges."
'Boost the economy'
Her letter added that both the DUP and the Tories "agree the need for additional financial support for Northern Ireland and jointly desire that this will play a positive role in the efforts to re-establish devolved government".
Speaking outside Downing Street, DUP leader Arlene Foster said the details of the agreement would "benefit all our (Northern Ireland) people".Speaking outside Downing Street, DUP leader Arlene Foster said the details of the agreement would "benefit all our (Northern Ireland) people".
"They will boost the economy and invest in new infrastructure as well as investing in the future of our health and education sectors and a range of other measures," she said."They will boost the economy and invest in new infrastructure as well as investing in the future of our health and education sectors and a range of other measures," she said.
Where will the money go?Where will the money go?
Read more analysis from BBC News NI Business Editor John CampbellRead more analysis from BBC News NI Business Editor John Campbell
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader Colum Eastwood said it was critical that the money is "targeted at areas of need, not the parochial priorities of one political party".Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader Colum Eastwood said it was critical that the money is "targeted at areas of need, not the parochial priorities of one political party".
He said the deal should prioritise "building the A5 and A6, using city deals to further the expansion of Magee University at Magee and bespoke investment across the north and an immediate end to regional investment disparities".He said the deal should prioritise "building the A5 and A6, using city deals to further the expansion of Magee University at Magee and bespoke investment across the north and an immediate end to regional investment disparities".
The agreement has also been criticised by politicians in England, Scotland and Wales, who argue spending in Northern Ireland should be matched in other parts of the UK.The agreement has also been criticised by politicians in England, Scotland and Wales, who argue spending in Northern Ireland should be matched in other parts of the UK.
Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said the Tory-DUP deal is "clearly not in the national interest" but was designed to help the prime minister "cling to power."Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said the Tory-DUP deal is "clearly not in the national interest" but was designed to help the prime minister "cling to power."
"The government must immediately answer two questions," Mr Corbyn said."The government must immediately answer two questions," Mr Corbyn said.
"Where is the money for the Tory-DUP deal coming from? And, will all parts of the UK receive the much needed additional funding that Northern Ireland will get as part of the deal?""Where is the money for the Tory-DUP deal coming from? And, will all parts of the UK receive the much needed additional funding that Northern Ireland will get as part of the deal?"
'Outrageous''Outrageous'
Money distributed to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is controlled by the Barnett Formula, which dictates the allocation of funding from Westminster according to population size and what powers are devolved to each nation.Money distributed to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is controlled by the Barnett Formula, which dictates the allocation of funding from Westminster according to population size and what powers are devolved to each nation.
Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones said the Conservative-DUP deal "all but kills the idea of fair funding for all nations and regions".Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones said the Conservative-DUP deal "all but kills the idea of fair funding for all nations and regions".
"It is outrageous that the prime minister believes she can secure her own political future by throwing money at Northern Ireland whilst completely ignoring the rest of the UK," he said."It is outrageous that the prime minister believes she can secure her own political future by throwing money at Northern Ireland whilst completely ignoring the rest of the UK," he said.
Ian Blackford, the Scottish National Party's leader at Westminster, said it was a "grubby deal" that "summed up how little the Tories care about Scotland".Ian Blackford, the Scottish National Party's leader at Westminster, said it was a "grubby deal" that "summed up how little the Tories care about Scotland".
The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney said the deal between the Conservative Party and the DUP was "primarily a matter for those two parties".The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney said the deal between the Conservative Party and the DUP was "primarily a matter for those two parties".
However, he noted that the agreement "provides for DUP support for British government legislation on Brexit" and suggested that could help Stormont negotiate a better deal when the UK leaves the EU.However, he noted that the agreement "provides for DUP support for British government legislation on Brexit" and suggested that could help Stormont negotiate a better deal when the UK leaves the EU.
"An enhanced Northern Ireland voice, articulating an agreed devolved government position, could see more effective and inclusive representation of the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland at Westminster," Mr Coveney said."An enhanced Northern Ireland voice, articulating an agreed devolved government position, could see more effective and inclusive representation of the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland at Westminster," Mr Coveney said.
Analysis: Marie-Louise Connolly, BBC News NI health correspondentAnalysis: Marie-Louise Connolly, BBC News NI health correspondent
Northern Ireland's health service is a big winner from the DUP-Conservatives deal - it will receive about £300m that will allow the service some breathing space.Northern Ireland's health service is a big winner from the DUP-Conservatives deal - it will receive about £300m that will allow the service some breathing space.
Many will argue that it is just a sticking plaster that will not go far enough to see the transformation that is required.Many will argue that it is just a sticking plaster that will not go far enough to see the transformation that is required.
The UK government is to allocate £50m per year for two years to enable the executive to address immediate pressures in health and education.The UK government is to allocate £50m per year for two years to enable the executive to address immediate pressures in health and education.
While £50m may sound a lot, in practice that amount of money could be spent very quickly trying to tackle the thousands of people on hospital waiting listsWhile £50m may sound a lot, in practice that amount of money could be spent very quickly trying to tackle the thousands of people on hospital waiting lists
On top of that, £100m per year will be allocated for two years towards transforming the local health service - this will go someway in helping to deliver the recommendations set out in the Bengoa health review and the Department of Health's subsequent 10-year plan.On top of that, £100m per year will be allocated for two years towards transforming the local health service - this will go someway in helping to deliver the recommendations set out in the Bengoa health review and the Department of Health's subsequent 10-year plan.
The big surprise is the money allocated to tackling mental health: £10m per year for five years.The big surprise is the money allocated to tackling mental health: £10m per year for five years.
Health professionals will welcome this additional funding in an area with a spiralling problem of its own in terms of waiting lists.Health professionals will welcome this additional funding in an area with a spiralling problem of its own in terms of waiting lists.
The deal will also have a major impact on ongoing talks in Northern Ireland, where parties have until 29 June to find agreement over restoring the devolved government.The deal will also have a major impact on ongoing talks in Northern Ireland, where parties have until 29 June to find agreement over restoring the devolved government.
Northern Ireland has been without a power-sharing executive since March and without a first and deputy first minister since January.Northern Ireland has been without a power-sharing executive since March and without a first and deputy first minister since January.
The institutions collapsed amid a bitter row between the DUP and Sinn Féin about a botched green energy scheme.The institutions collapsed amid a bitter row between the DUP and Sinn Féin about a botched green energy scheme.
The late deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, stood down in protest over the DUP's handling of an investigation into the energy scandal, in a move that triggered a snap election.The late deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, stood down in protest over the DUP's handling of an investigation into the energy scandal, in a move that triggered a snap election.
Stormont parties have been warned that if they cannot reach agreement, direct rule could follow. Stormont parties have been warned that if they cannot reach agreement on restoring the Northern Ireland's power-sharing government, direct rule from Westminster could follow.
Parties had raised concerns that the DUP-Tory deal could undermine the negotiations on restoring devolution at Stormont. 'Conservative and Unionist Party'
However earlier on Monday, Mrs Foster told Sky News: "I think that this agreement will bring the prospects of doing at deal at Stormont closer because this will have a positive impact in relation to Northern Ireland. Parties had raised concerns that the DUP-Tory deal could undermine devolution negotiations, arguing a government dependent on the support of the DUP could not be impartial its Northern Ireland policies.
"I very much hope that this week we will be able to conclude on two agreements." However, Conservative MP and First Secretary of State, Damian Green, denied that the deal could put Stormont's future at risk.
He repeated a previous comment made by Mrs May at that "the Conservative Party's full title has traditionally been the Conservative and Unionist Party".
"We are always unionist, we remain as unionist as we ever have been, and have been throughout the time when we've been able to deal with devolved institutions," Mr Green said.
"But what we say is that absolutely we continue to be committed to the notion of consent in Northern Ireland; it is for the people of Northern Ireland to decide on their own governance structure."