The situation we are seeing now is largely the result of Suffolk County Council’s ‘do nothing’ approach since the they cancelled work on the Ipswich Northern Bypass half a decade ago.
It is clear that continued inaction is a deliberate choice to harm long-term interests of our town and county.
Our Government's new consultation on protecting children online is now live.
It covers social media, gaming platforms and AI chatbots.
I've been speaking to Ministers about this for some time, but I want parents and young people in Ipswich to share their views: www.gov.uk/government/c...
It was a privilege to join friends and neighbours for Ipswich Mosque's community Iftar last night.
I am so grateful for their warm welcome and hospitality.
Now more than ever, we must look to bring people together, heal divisions and foster greater understanding.
I was so pleased to visit CHip in their new home. Vibrant, creative and trusted spaces like this are crucial.
Credit to Dr Sachin Karale for being community minded and finding this solution.
I'd encourage other landlords who own empty units to do the same and be part of the change for our town.
Despite the mizzly conditions, we had a great Ipswich Labour team meeting residents across South East Ipswich today.
Potholes, anti-social behaviour, the Orwell Bridge, the town centre and home education were the issues raised with me.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak to us.
I was delighted to bring Google Digital Garage to Ipswich.
Free digital skills and AI training were provided to 50 local businesses and entrepreneurs, helping them understand new trends, tool up, attract new customers, and grow.
A huge thank you to the University of Suffolk for hosting.
BTC ALL DAYER!!!
Brighten the Corners' new FREE one-day festival in Ipswich on Sat 25 April!
Local talent playing in pubs, venues and community spaces across the town centre.
Can't. Wait.
Credit to Ipswich Central for supporting this.
Full info: www.brightenthecorners.co.uk/events/btc-a...
This is a good example of the important progress that is being made to tackle crime in Ipswich and Suffolk, but also the hard and often painstaking work often involved.
The result?
- 3 cannabis factories shut down
- Seizure of cocaine with a street value of £1.5m
- Prosecution of career criminals
I spoke to @itvanglia.bsky.social about our Government's proposed transformation of the broken SEND system.
There is a lot of work ahead of us, and there is no instant magic bullet which will fix the multitude of challenges that face children and families, but things will get better.
Under these changes, more children will receive support. As you say, I want every child to thrive in our education system, and that just simply isn't the case at the moment.
Whatever rubbish Reform come out with on SEND has not entered my thinking on this whatsoever.
Making sure children have the right support, when the need it, is at the heart of fixing this broken system.
Hi Tracey, you're right re. unmet needs, which is why these proposals look to meet needs far earlier, without the usual exhausting battles, and provides significant investment to do just that.
Fixing the broken SEND system is deeply important to me.
I spoke about it in my maiden speech in Parliament, and I've tried to do everything I can to support families in Suffolk for a decade.
Today was just a first step, but for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful things will get better.
I often think about this front page.
Families in Ipswich and Suffolk have been battling a broken SEND system for years and years.
They were not heard.
Today, that changes.
We now have a generational opportunity to transform our SEND system so it finally works for families, not against them.
I will support any measures to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession.
That's exactly what we are doing by moving to multi year settlements. Like that record £219 million year package I refer to.
I was there earlier this week visiting my family.
For too long too many children haven’t had the support they need to succeed.
That must change.
Labour will transform our schools system so every child can achieve and thrive.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Good to see more pothole repairs following a big increase in funding from our Labour Government.
However, there's still a lot of work to do - our roads are in a sorry state.
With a record £219 million package, it's incumbent on Suffolk County Council to finally fix our crumbling roads.
A final call out for anyone wanting to join my latest community meeting on SEND.
It is taking place tomorrow, Friday 20th February, 3.30pm-5pm.
If you would like to attend, email jack.abbott.mp@parliament.uk for more details including the venue.
Please share with families who would be interested.
It's very disappointing that the Westgate Street post office will be closing in June.
I'm looking to meet the Post Office ASAP to discuss their plans to reopen in a new location.
Other town centre post offices in Fore Street and Carr Street remain open.
A reminder that I'll be hosting my next community meeting on SEND on Friday 20th February, 3.30pm-5pm.
I want to hear your views about how to fix this broken system both locally and nationally.
If you'd like to attend, please email jack.abbott.mp@parliament.uk and you will be sent venue details.
Today marks Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. It is a time for reflection and renewal for Christians in Ipswich and across the world.
It offers a reminder of what is really important, and I feel grateful to have spent a few days with my wonderful family this week.
My warmest wishes to the Muslim communities in Ipswich as Ramadan begins.
I look forward to joining friends and neighbours at Ipswich Mosque's Community Iftar in March.
Thank you to everyone who attended my recent community meeting on SEND.
I am hosting another on Friday 20th February, 3.30pm-5pm.
I want to hear about your experiences and your thoughts on how we can fix this broken system.
If you would like to attend, please email jack.abbott.mp@parliament.uk
💔 Two weeks isn't enough.
The UK has the worst paternity leave in Europe at two weeks on less than half the minimum wage, or nothing if you’re self-employed.
We should have a system that supports equal parenting, so I've joined other Labour MPs in calling for better paternity leave.
💎 OPEN TODAY! 💎
Lovisa has opened its doors in Ipswich today.
The global fashion jewellery brand joins Jamaica Blue in the old Grimwades building after it was left empty for a decade.
Great job, Ipswich Borough Council - we will keep working to revitalise our town centre.
A beautiful sunny Valentine's Day Ipswich parkrun in Christchurch Park.
Jade smashed it this morning. I did not.
As ever, a huge thank you to all the volunteers who make this possible every Saturday.
I love visiting St Mark's Catholic Primary School.
It has got great energy and the pupils always have brilliant questions and are so inquisitive.
Thanks for having me.
I am hosting a community meeting on SEND tomorrow (11.30am-1pm)
I want to hear about your experiences, and about how we can fix the problems affecting the SEND system in Ipswich and Suffolk.
If you would like to attend, please email jack.abbott.mp@parliament.uk and you will be sent venue details.
