May strikes £1 bn power deal with N Ireland's DUP

The two parties had been locked in talks since the June 8 general election threw up a hung Parliament and May entered Downing Street on the assumption that the DUP's 10 MPs would be backing the Tories in Parliament to make up for a lack of overall majority in the House of Commons.

Under the so-called "confidence and supply" arrangement, the DUP will back May on key votes, which would threaten the government's survival if they were lost. "We share many values in terms of wanting to see prosperity across the UK, the value of the union, the important bond between the different parts of the UK," the British prime minister said.

"We very much want to see that protected and enhanced and we also share the desire to ensure a strong government, able to put through its programme and provide for issues like the Brexit negotiations, but also national security issues," she said.

The talks between the two parties, which have been ongoing for weeks, focused on financial support for Northern Ireland and the shape of Brexit. According to the deal, there will be 1 billion pound extra fund for Northern Ireland over the next two years.

The funds were expected to be used to boost Northern Ireland's economy and offer investment in new infrastructure, health and education. DUP leader Arlene Foster said the "wide-ranging" agreement was "good for Northern Ireland and for the UK".

A three-page document outlining the terms of the agreement has been published today with further details on the financial arrangement expected later. The DUP said the deal would apply for the lifetime of the Parliament, scheduled to last five years, but would also be reviewed at the end of the current session in two years time.

"A confidence and supply agreement has been made between the Conservative & Unionist party and the Democratic Unionist party. This means the DUP will support the Conservative government on votes on the Queen's Speech, the Budget, and legislation relating to Brexit and national security, a Downing Street statement said.

The two leaders at 10 Downing Street watched as Conservative party chief whip Gavin Williamson and his DUP counterpart Jeffrey Donaldson signed the historic documents for the confidence and supply arrangement. "Our aim in these negotiations has been to deliver for all of the people of Northern Ireland and the support measures which we are announcing will be to the benefit of all our people. We welcome this financial support of one billion pounds in the next two years," Foster said outside the Downing Street.

She said the Tories had now recognised the case for higher funding in Northern Ireland and will publish details of financial support to be made available in due course.