A strong defence and a thriving economy are two sides of the same coin. The Armed Forces should utilise the City’s talent, writes Alastair King

The recent ceasefire in the Middle East is the most significant positive development in global affairs since I last addressed defence matters in these pages. Communities worldwide will be praying it holds for as long as needed to usher in a sustainable peace acceptable to all.

Alas, US President Trump’s discussions with President Putin in Alaska regarding a possible end to war in Ukraine have yet to bear fruit.

Closer to home, the UK’s Public Accounts Committee published a withering conclusion on efforts to increase military reserve and cadet forces, reporting that they lack both detail and funding. This matters hugely.

The retention and recruitment of reserves is vital for our national security, as is boosting our cadet forces. These essential endeavours received due recognition in the latest UK Strategic Defence Review, which outlined ambitious targets to increase reserve numbers by 20 per cent and cadets by 30 per cent in the........

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