Extraordinarily - and this seems to demonstrate a complete disregard of the seriousness of defence at the heart of government - John Healey was only told what the offer was for additional defence funding on Monday afternoon. I am told Number 10 then tried to rush and publish the Defence Investment Plan on Thursday. Then a handbrake was applied by Mr Healey and his military chiefs. The (now ex) defence secretary made clear that racing to release the blueprint without a settlement that had been accepted by him and his team would be a risk for defence and for its soldiers, sailors and aviators. You can only imagine the tone of the exchange that must have taken place - and I know that people were in the MOD until very late last night. But John Healey firmly believes the settlement was inadequate and, if left unchallenged, would not enable the UK to keep the country safe or meet its international commitments - such as help defend Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. A key detail is that Mr Healey believes defence spending must be increased to 3% of GDP by 2030, up from 2.3% now. This would guarantee tens of billions of additional pounds for defence. But - despite the stakes and the position of the defence secretary - the Prime Minister and Chancellor agreed just to inch it up to 2.68% of GDP within that time frame, after hitting a new target of 2.6% next year (which is already being inflated by lumping in the 0.1% that is spent on the intelligence agencies). Utterly incredible. What must our allies and our adversaries be thinking, let alone everyone in the UK armed forces and, frankly, everyone in our country? We all rely on a secure UK to live, work, go to school, enjoy holidays, access healthcare, spend time with friends and families. This is not a divine right. It happens because we have security - something that might not be apparent until or unless it is compromised...

Respect to John Healey & Al Carns 🫡. #ArmedForces #Defence #Army

Ollie Robinson is not the right kind of bowler to be trying to bounce batsmen out… … top quality seam & length control… … but ~12-15 mph too slow for the short theory… … I hate these tactics that Stokes uses waaaay too often. #TopOfOff @BBCSport @bbctms #Cricket

#ThickTrunkTuesday x #DeadTreeSociety … Old Chestnut at side of Inner Park which actually still has some fresh growth at lower branches, framed by Rhododendrons at the base and some very alive Pine, Chestnut and Oak #trees , with Gargunnock Hills in the background.

“There are only two years in the last hundred we’ve had a higher proportion of Brits working.” This is true, but feels wrong. The reason is twofold - reduction in average working hours, and a huge expansion of women in the workforce. If you look at the hours worked per male, and males in employment the figures have dropped dramatically, which accord more with what we see. So yes more people are working, but there are a lower proportion of men in work compare to, say, the mid 80’s, and they are on average doing fewer hours. This explains how unemployment can be up, but employment (including both sexes) can be up too. If we want better growth, wealth and productivity, we need more full time jobs and more economic output per person. Working smarter and harder. It’s a big ask, and I don’t see Torsten embracing the complexity of the issue when he’s hiding it behind the more attractive statistics he can bring into play.

#Hares on the path through the grass as #Swallows sweep between the #Oaks above the sheep and cattle with the moon over the Costa del #Stirling. #butterflies & #moths on manoeuvres but most birds are focused on fluttering Mayflies. Lovely evening. 💚🙏 #Livestock #Farming

Just in case there is any deviation from the #election2024 Labour manifesto from a change of leadership.

It is “Spurs v Spurs”… sums up the season for #Spurs. #PremierLeague @BBCSport

Agreed @afneil ; a vote share in the 30s% for SNP is absolutely NOT a “mandate” for another Independence Vote. The focus must be on better governance.

#FridayFungi - at the base of a very old Monkey Puzzle tree.

👏👏@Everton … come on, please see it out. @Arsenal @premierleague

Well sown is half grown. Now 🙏and🤞. #Farming #Harvest2026

#Trossachs looking BEAUTIFUL today from the Carse of #Stirling Ben Lomond (974m): The most southerly #Munro . Ben Ledi (879m): near Callander. Ben Venue (729m) Stuc a'Chroin (975m) & Ben Vorlich (985m): the twin peaks near Lochearnhead.

Just pointing out that I broke the story 7 months ago that Mandelson failed vetting from the security services and put it to Downing Street...so the idea that Downing Street only found out on Tuesday is complete nonsense. independent.co.uk/news/uk/po…

This matters because if you are vulnerable to blackmail, bribery or extremism, you could give or sell secrets that put lives at risk. It is a high, serious bar. I have known cases where people failed and were never told why. I have never known one be overruled.

Did you see that #ShootingStar / #Meteor ? 22:07 13th April… visible at 163 degrees South and fell, bright yellow with trail, and I lost it behind Oak Trees at 174 degrees South from here #Meiklewood, just West of Stirling.

JD Vance has accused European countries of 'interfering in the Hungarian election',  after he travelled to Hungary to interfere in the election

Every measure you list involves spending wealth. You don’t list one measure that creates wealth. And if you don’t create wealth you will soon run out of it to spend, which is already happening (hence all your extra taxes and borrowing).

🎯 and agreed @nfergus

“Its misleading when you say the Chancellor has gotten debt down. Debt has risen since you’ve taken office” Sky’s @WilfredFrost challenges Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray