Chances of DUP deal in next week are ‘very good’

The chances of a deal being struck between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionist Party to give the government a House of Commons majority are “very good”, it has been claimed.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP chief whip at Westminster, said an agreement was likely to be reached before next week’s Commons vote on the Queen’s Speech, adding: “The sooner the better, as far as we are concerned.”

It comes after DUP sources voiced disappointment in the Downing Street negotiating team and said Prime Min- ister Theresa May was not involved enough in talks.

“I think the Prime Minister is moving this process forward,” Mr Donaldson said. “She is engaged now. We welcome that. I think that since that has happened we have been moving forward.

He said the DUP wanted more investment for Northern Ireland as part of the deal but denied reports it was seeking £1 billion for the health service with a further £1bn of infrastructure.

Sir Jeffrey hinted the DUP had secured concessions with Tory manifesto pledges that risked squeezing pensioner incomes being omitted from the Queen’s Speech.