Northern Ireland is set to receive new devolved powers as part of the £1bn deal between the minority Conservative Government and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
In order to secure the Parliamentary support of the 10 DUP MPs that will deliver a Commons majority, the Government has promised to work ‘with the [Northern Ireland] executive and other stakeholders to work towards a comprehensive and ambitious set City Deals across Northern Ireland to boost investment and help unlock the full potential of Northern Ireland’.
A ‘limited number’ of Enterprise Zones will also be established in Northern Ireland. In addition, the UK government will begin immediate work on devolving corporation tax rates, with an options paper due to be prepared in time for chancellor Philip Hammond’s autumn Budget.
But Wales’ first minister, Carwyn Jones, described it as a ‘straight bung’ paid to Northern Ireland in return for political support.
Mr Jones added that the deal ‘all but kills the idea of fair funding for the nations and regions’.
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