What a day! The Chancellor adopted the role of Father Christmas and sprayed billions of pounds into the economy to save jobs. I had managed to get on the question list after his Statement, but was no 80 out of 90, so was not optimistic I'd be called.

Back home as today was a one-line whip. After an early start and a morning spent on casework, I dialled into our weekly Defence Select Committee, today taking evidence from Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Carter GCB CBE DSO ADC.

An early start and then to London.

A blustery day ended with the news the arts have been waiting for - a £1.57 billion rescue package. They have lobbied hard and clearly successfully to safeguard jobs and venues, some of them of national significance.

Tomorrow will bring relief to many businesses as lock-down is eased. Pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and cinemas will re-open, although many others remain closed and becoming increasingly more desperate.

First up was a further meeting of the Defence Select Committee. We took oral evidence from a number of Service personnel. Two senior officers led the session. The first was Major General Stickland, who joined the Royal Marines in 1987.

Up early and out into the park for a long run in sunshine. Much fewer people about. Into the House, which is a very strange place at the moment. Watched PMQs on the TV in my office as it was not possible to get into the Chamber. Starmer probing on job losses post COVID.

Up to London to attend our Defence Select Committee. Over the airwaves came welcome news from the PM. A spending boost of £5 billion will see investment in homes and infrastructure.

The news that Leicester is to be plunged back into lock-down as concerns grow over a significant rise in Covid-19 cases is disheartening. If these spikes can be controlled locally, all the better, as we simply cannot shut the country down again.

To the surprise of some, and relief to others, the UK's top civil servant, Sir Mark Sedwill, confirmed he plans to stand down from the role in September. In a letter to Boris Johnson, he said it was the right time to go as the government moved to the next phase of its coronavirus recovery plan.