内容摘要：He admits that the shattered state of the Defence Ministry complex is "not good for the city's image", and that the deal to develop the site is "probably good news, because it shows the country can attract big investments".

He admits that the shattered state of the Defence Ministry complex is "not good for the city's image", and that the deal to develop the site is "probably good news, because it shows the country can attract big investments".

Last week, the government said it would put money towards building and improving tram networks in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and the Midlands.The Newcastle to Sunderland metro line will also receive an extension, while nearly £1bn will go towards improving train services in the south west of England.

Much of the speculation in the build-up to the Spending Review was about the government'sIn the end, details of the change of policy came on Monday, although how this is paid for will not be clear until the autumn Budget.The Treasury said it would cost £1.25bn to restore the payment, of either £200 or £300, to millions of pensioner households.

Last winter, the payment - which helps cover energy costs during the coldest months - only went to low-income pensioners in receipt of pension credit.This winter, it will go to all pensioners in England and Wales who have an annual taxable income of £35,000 or less. Separate

and Northern Ireland may now be reconsidered.

It is quite difficult to get your head around the numbers involved in the mammoth project to buildThe UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force) and UDA (Ulster Defence Association) have long-standing links to extreme far-right groups, and both have a presence in the Ballymena area.

The PSNI said there was no evidence of paramilitary involvement in the recent violence in the town, at this stage.The MP for North Antrim, Jim Allister, has said the violence is wrong and must stop immediately as "it distracts from the very real grievances".

The Traditional Unionist Voice leader said there had been "rapid demographic change" in Ballymena in recent years and claimed a "failure of successive authorities to manage integration or address local concerns has left many residents feeling ignored and disrespected".According to recent research published by the Stormont Assembly, statistics show that Northern Ireland is the "least diverse part of the UK".