Theresa May's DUP deal is FINALLY sealed as party agrees to prop up the PM in power - in return for £1billion for Northern Ireland

The Tory and DUP chief whips signed the deal in Downing Street today as Theresa May and Arlene Foster looked on. Pictured left to right, DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds, Mrs Foster, DUP chief whip Jeffrey Donaldson, Tory chief whip Gavin Williamson, Mrs May, First Secretary of State Damian Green 

Theresa May breathed a sigh of relief today as she finally sealed an agreement with the DUP to prop her up in power.

After more than two weeks of intense wrangling and with just days to go until crucial vote on the Queen's Speech, the Tories and the Northern Ireland party put the stamp on a deal that shores up the PM's majority in the Commons.

The arrangement dramatically boosts Mrs May's chances of clinging on as PM after the disastrous election that stripped her of her overall Commons majority.

But it has come at a significant price - with around £1billion of extra funding on schools, hospitals and infrastructure for the province over the next two years.

The DUP is also claiming credit for the Tories ditching two key manifesto pledges - which would have seen the end of the triple lock on pensions and curbs to winter fuel payments for pensioners. The deal will run until the next election - and be reviewed at the start of every parliamentary session.