DUP ‘demands Conservatives ditch Dementia Tax and protect pensioners’ as they enter talks with May
Discussions between the two parties have already begun, hours into the alliance
THE Democratic Unionist Party has already issued its first demands to the Tories, telling the party to ditch the controversial Dementia Tax.
The DUP, which is set to throw a lifeline to the Tories to form a minority government, has made a stance in protecting pensioners, as well as increasing police funding.
A source within the DUP : "We wouldn't agree with parts of the Conservative manifesto.
"I can understand how many people switched from supporting them three weeks ago to actually saying 'if this is the way they're going to deal with these people I wouldn't be happy'.
"I'm talking about older people and the dementia tax. Those issues, believe it or not, where you're talking about a lot of money or not, have resonated."
Now, Tory chief whip Gavin Williamson will be flying to Belfast for formal talks with DUP, including with his counterpart Jeffrey Donaldson.
The Cabinet is set to discuss the outline agreement tomorrow after successful talks between the pair.
Theresa May had attempted to defend her social care revolution in her manifesto but was forced to do a U-turn following a backlash.
The Tory manifesto unveiled in May contained a surprising pledge to shake up the way care for the elderly is funded.
Currently those in residential care have to pay for it themselves if they have assets above £23,250.
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People can defer payment until after they die, meaning they do not have to sell their house while they are still alive or while a surviving partner lives in it.
For the first time, this rule will now also apply to so-called domiciliary care – care at home – if the Tories win the election.
It means those receiving home care will have to pay towards it and the value of their home will be included in their assets, which can be clawed back by councils.
But several Tory MPs have raised concerns with the DUP over their views of the death penalty, education and abortion.
The DUP is in talks to prop up Theresa May's diminished Government in a "confidence and supply basis".
A Number 10 spokesman said: “We can confirm that the Democratic Unionist Party have agreed to the principles of an outline agreement to support the Conservative Government on a confidence and supply basis when Parliament returns next week.
“We welcome this commitment, which can provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond.
“The details will be put forward for discussion and agreement at a Cabinet meeting on Monday.”
The DUP later conflicted this, saying talks were still underway.