Simon James George retweeted
When UK ministers talk about how they are spending £298bn over four years on their defence investment plan it sounds impressive.
But this is just the annual budget - including for recurring costs like canteen food, boots and light bulbs - lumped together from 2026-30.
We have analysed the numbers in the small print of the investment plan (DIP).
It shows that military chiefs are banking on tens of billions of additional pounds from 2030 and beyond.
Or else their own numbers do not add up.
Check out our rather rough and ready maths - and thank you to @FTusa284 for sharing your views! ⬇️
news.sky.com/video/is-there-…
A masterclass. If you need to define what is acting say this is.
Simon James George retweeted
In The Inner Light, Picard lives an entire lifetime in 25 minutes. A wife, children, a home, and a flute he learns to play.
He wakes up back on the Enterprise. All he keeps is the flute.
Probably the best hour of Star Trek ever made. RIP Sir Patrick.
Simon James George retweeted
"They say time is the fire in which we burn. Right now captain, my time is running out. We leave so many things unfinished in our lives. I know you understand."
Suddenly my timeline is filled with nothing but clips of Patrick Stewart demonstrating his unmatched skill as an actor. He was and It is marvellous.
Simon James George retweeted
RIP Patrick Stewart.
He had many great Shakespeare performances, but his John of Gaunt in Richard II is perhaps my favorite.
Simon James George retweeted
My latest cartoon for tomorrow's @Telegraph
Buy a print of my cartoons at telegraph.co.uk/mattprints
Original artwork from chrisbeetles.com
Simon James George retweeted
This is astounding. The government's own figures show working-age welfare will go up by £60 BILLION by 2030, yet the Treasury has to rush out and correct the Chancellor to say there is no timetable for cutting the benefits bill. Looks like foot in mouth syndrome is spreading.
John Healey couldn't even find £10 billion to get defence spending to 3% of GDP - the thing he quit over.
Don't let anyone tell you this was a 'do no harm budget'. In doing so little, Labour have harmed our economic security and they've harmed our national security.
Simon James George retweeted
Wow - just listening to Jonathan Haskel, chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility on Radio 4
He says UK GDP spent on welfare is rising to 11% of GDP from 10.5% of GDP following the budget. "That's a big increase."
Yet Chancellor John Healey can't even say how he's going to inch up defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030 even as his government says the military needs to be ready for war by then.
Simon James George retweeted
On this date in 1415 the battle of Agincourt took place. A fascinating bit of history that also gave us Shakespeare's masterpiece 'Henry V' and several glorious films.
Here are clips from 3 films showing the famous, delicious, rousing speech:
Simon James George retweeted
Here's the real story of this Budget, the can being kicked down the road. This Labour government is apparently planning spending cuts on most areas of public service spending of 2.6% per year between 2028-29 and 2031-32.
Pull the other one. It's got bells on.
Simon James George retweeted
The thing to remember: don't look at Budgets in isolation.
Taxes have been rising since 2021. The extra tax we're paying this year is the *cumulative* result of five successive Budgets, under three Chancellors.
This chart shows who's responsible & for how much.
Simon James George retweeted
Thread of the nasties lurking in the #Budget documents.
Higher borrowing:
Simon James George retweeted
Your bank will no more pay the bank levy than your TV set pays the licence free, your car the road duty or your house the council tax.
This tax will fall on all of us as borrowers or depositors. Banks can only COLLECT taxes, not PAY them. All taxes fall on humans.
#Budget2026
Simon James George retweeted
997 days
Healey vows cheaper marmalade and gherkins in pre-Budget package of 'everyday fixes' bbc.in/4zTnQ4K
