Robinson and McGuinness discuss budget with PM

Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers have met David Cameron in London together with the Scottish and Welsh first ministers.

Earlier, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness met business leaders along with the Treasury.

It was part of the Treasury's consultation on whether the assembly should be given the power to reduce the local rate of corporation tax.

Mr McGuinness said the meeting had been very encouraging.

"We can have some considerable degree of confidence that the processing of the lowering of the corporation tax issue is something that is being taken very, very seriously and in which the Treasury is now very much engaged in," he said.

"We expressed our reservations in the past about the role of the Treasury, but I think that as things progress further and as we see the outcome of the meeting this morning, we can have some considerable confidence that this issue is being taken very seriously indeed."

The current rate of corporation tax in Northern Ireland is 26% compared to 12.5% in the Irish Republic.

The prime minister is due to visit Stormont on Thursday and is expected to address the assembly.

He is also due to meet Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness at Stormont Castle.