Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Now we’ve got money to burn
ARLENE’S £1BILLION DEAL DUP agree to back minority Tory government as Stormont talks resume
ARLENE Foster put the RHI scandal behind her yesterday as she flew home with £1billion burning a hole in her pocket. The DUP leader struck a deal with Theresa May to prop up her minority government in exchange for funding. The PM said it “enables us to work together in the interests of the UK”. Mrs Foster now faces the task of restoring Stormont by Thursday.
It will enable us to work together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom THERESA MAY DOWNING STREET YESTERDAY It will boost investment in new infrastructure as well as our health and education ARLENE FOSTER DOWNING STREET YESTERDAY
NORTHERN Ireland has an extra £1billion in the kitty after the DUP agreed a deal to prop up Theresa May’s Government. Party leader Arlene Foster said she was “delighted” with the package which she insisted will benefit everyone in the country. And last night it emerged the money will be spent – even if the Stormont Executive is not restored. Full details of where the cash will go have yet to emerge but there is a broad breakdown of where the funding is heading: Health is getting a minimum of £250million with £200million going to service transformation and £50million for mental health Education will net £50million to “address immediate pressures” £400million is lined up for infrastructure projects including the York Street Interchange in Belfast, plus £150million to provide ultra-fast broadband, and £100million over five years for “deprived communities”. The deal also touched on VAT and Air Passenger Duty tax but only committed to further consultation. Legacy issues were mentioned too with a commitment that such investigations do not “unfairly focus” on the police and Army. A pledge to work towards devolving Corporation Tax to Stormont was also part of the agreement, as were a “comprehensive and ambitious set” of city deals and “limited number” of Enterprise Zones. Observers pointed out the deal is between the DUP and Tories, not Theresa May, so will go ahead even if she is ditched as PM. It was struck after 18 day-long talks also saw the Conservatives axe plans to abolish the triple-lock protection for State pensions and means-testing for winter fuel payments. And the deal will extend the Armed Forces Covenant, which looks after soldiers and their families, to Northern Ireland. Under a confidence and supply arrangement intended to last until 2022, the DUP guaranteed its 10
MPS will vote with the Government on the Queen’s Speech, the Budget, and legislation relating to Brexit and national security. Together with the 317 Tory MPS, this will allow the Prime Minister to pass the 326 figure required for an absolute majority in the House of Commons, ensuring her victory in key divisions and protecting her Government from collapse. Mrs May said the two parties “share many values” and described the agreement as “a very good one”. She added it would “enable us to work together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom, give us the certainty we require as we embark on our departure from the European Union and help us build a stronger and fairer society at home”. There were immediate demands for similar largesse for other parts of the UK, with the Welsh executive saying it was due almost £1.7billion under the Barnett formula which governs how money is distributed. Downing Street said Barnett does not apply to the new money as it is being provided as an addition to the Executive’s block grant. However, Labour branded the deal “shabby and reckless” and warned it would undermine trust in the Government’s impartiality which was vital to the Good Friday Agreement. Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry told MPS: “For the Government to be putting such an agreement in jeopardy just to prop up this dismal Prime Minister is nothing short of a disgrace.” In a bid to allay concerns, the deal makes clear the Tories remain committed to restoring powersharing and the DUP will have “no involvement in the Government’s role in political talks in Northern Ireland”. First Secretary of State Damian Green said the agreement, signed by Tory chief whip Gavin Williamson and the DUP’S Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, should help to break the deadlock at Stormont. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood added: “I would like an inclusive Executive that represents all of the people of Northern Ireland to be making sure money is spent properly and for all of our benefit, not that it is being spent by a Tory party who seem to be under the thumb of the DUP.” Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said: “If it empowers the DUP, if it emboldens the DUP then to do what they should be doing then, yes that would be something very, very positive.” After the announcement, Ms Foster flew to Belfast yesterday to resume Stormont talks. If an agreement isn’t reached by Thursday, Secretary of State James Brokenshire could call another Assembly election.