Graphic footage, with little narration, from major French TV channel of the appalling violence, destruction, anarchy in the centre of Paris last Saturday. Worth watching from beginning to end. The French Left/Unions demanding resignations at the channel because it only depicts violence and doesn’t provide ‘context’!

Limoges town hall yesterday.

LIMOGES UPDATE: Second suspect, male, 66, arrested by RAID elite police in connection with torching/destruction of Limoges town hall early this morning. Thought to be part of same ultra-left circles as first suspect, 34, also arrested by RAID (on Tuesday), identified by images of him on the scene, including protesters' own videos. He is on the "fiché S" security watch list as an ultra-left activist. Previously convicted of hitting a police officer at a 2024 protest. Custody has been extended by 48 hours, to the 96-hour maximum. Any charges could include the attempted murder of police, since 13 municipal police officers were inside the town hall at the time.

The Andrew Neil Report: The French riots explained — and the inevitable political fallout from them piped.video/efLy21KPj24?si=GqwS… via @YouTube

How to hold a dissembling, obfuscating minister’s feet to the fire.

Some irritation at FM being asked about a reserved issue. Worth pointing out that the SG, last month, called for energy powers to be devolved to Holyrood, so it’s reasonable to expect John Swinney holds a view Other reserved issues: whisky duty, foreign affairs, independence

I live in France. I’ve never seen an orgy of violence like this | Andrew... piped.video/efLy21KPj24?si=t-1h… via @YouTube

A L is correct This could be our future if Andy Pandy comes out to play

Reading your excellent analysis piece it seems we will have to endure a winter dunkelflaute triggering widespread blackouts before Government wakes up to the scale of the Net Zero disaster.

Almost certainly so. Their very generous remuneration depends on it.

ANDREW NEIL: The British Government’s relentless and costly pursuit of net zero is a recipe for blackouts. dailymail.com/debate/article…

No they haven’t. Just because you lost the argument, no reason to spread lies. Blocked for pushing fake news. Bye.

@AFneil says the riots in France make a Marine Le Pen victory in next year's Presidential election 'inevitable.' Listen & watch the full interview: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcas…

THE UK FISCAL POSITION A WEEK BEFORE THE BUDGET. So we learned this morning inflation has jumped up, with the 1st Burnham-Healey Budget now a week away. But we also got the latest fiscal backdrop this morning. It’s not great. The government borrowed another £24.5bn in September — £1.8bn more than last Sept and £1.9bn above both the OBR's March forecast. In cash terms it's the second-highest Sept on record, behind only Covid year 2020. Year-to-date government borrowing is just shy of £98bn. That's over £4bn less than YTD 2025 but £6bn more than the OBR forecast. Why? Not because of a revenue shortfall. Tax receipts are £5.8bn ahead of forecast for the year so far (helped by inflation). At £90bn, September tax receipts were up 5.2% on a year earlier. Spending is the problem, especially debt interest, which was almost £11bn in September — UP 16.6% ON A YEAR AGO, £2bn above OBR forecast and the highest September since records began in 1997. Overall, YTD spending is almost £9bn above forecast. Debt interest accounts for £3.8bn of that and welfare benefits for £2.5bn. The Labour government’s two Achilles Heels. ALSO — net national debt has passed £3 trillion — 94.0% of GDP (over 100% on IMF measure, which allows for international comparisons). So the UK fiscal position is being undermined by inflation and debt interest. The latest OBR forecast, out with the Budget, will be driven by both these factors. Could make for some dismal reading.

A week before the first Burnham-Healey Budget and the UK inflation rose to 3.5% in the year to September, from 3.1% for the year to August. Third successive increase. Two takeaways: It’s heading towards 4%. Interest rates will continue to rise and remain elevated for the foreseeable future.

Thank heaven for small mercies. The UK government has — at last — granted consent for gas to be produced from the Jackdaw gas field. Now, what about Rosebank?

Since I wrote and filed this last night Fintan Slye, who’s remuneration is almost £1m/year to run state-owned Neso, the organisation responsible for managing Britain’s power system, told staff he was “disappointed” in himself and “should have fixed” the problems before an independent report raised them. There’s still a widespread feeling in Neso that he puts carrying out the government’s net zero wishes/obsessions way above the concerns of his staff.

Indeed it can hence my ‘as things stand’!!

Great reporting as ever. So glad you’re still “on the air”.