A deal has been reached between the major parties in Northern Ireland to bring an end to the political crisis at Stormont.
It's understood the deal will see MLAs pass an emergency motion giving Westminster the power to implement cuts to the welfare system.
Sources say the move will make sure that the British government is held responsible for any cuts being enforced on Northern Ireland.
However the cuts will be mitigated by a series of other financial measures, which sources said would 'blunt the edge' of any cuts.
The deal also includes measures to tackle cross-border crime and the remaining paramilitary forces on both the republican and loyalist sides.
However other 'legacy' issues such as flags, emblems and parades have been deferred to a separate round of talks to begin in the coming months.
