First 拢50m of 'DUP deal' cash to be released

Image caption, The DUP negotiated an extra 拢1bn in public spending for Northern Ireland in June, in return for supporting the Tory government
  • Author, John Campbell
  • Role, 91热爆 News NI Economics & Business Editor

The first 拢50m of the 拢1bn deal agreed under the DUP-Tory pact will be released in this financial year, the Northern Ireland secretary has said.

The DUP negotiated extra spending of 拢1bn in June, as part of its confidence and supply deal with the Conservatives.

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire said the 拢50m will be made available for health and education.

The DUP's deputy leader Nigel Dodds said it was "a very significant moment".

The announcement was made as Mr Brokenshire brought a Northern Ireland budget before the House of Commons.

A UK government source confirmed to the 91热爆 that the release of the money would have to be voted on, in a process known as Supplementary Estimates.

That is a process where, during the course of a financial year, the government asks Parliament for additional resources.

The secretary of state told MPs that once it is released, civil servants can decide how to spend the extra 拢50m earmarked for health and education.

A budget has not been passed in Northern Ireland as an executive has not been formed due to a dispute between the DUP and Sinn F茅in.

Mr Brokenshire said that public services would begin to run out of money if a budget was not in place by the end of November.

He said he regretted having to bring a budget to Westminster but was hopeful an executive could be formed.