I was delighted to secure £1.5 million for Ipswich and I'm delighted we have moved quickly to invest that money. Thanks to the Government's Pride in Place funding, 25 community organisations will be able to refurbish and enhance buildings and facilities used every single day by local residents.

Behind every loss is a family that deserves time to heal, time to grieve shouldn't depend on where you work. Our Government's changes - a new legal right to bereavement leave - will deliver security and breathing room for families, giving them the right to grieve loss in a way that works for them.

What Ipswich employees need to know about new bereavement leave rights

From April 2027, employees will be entitled to two weeks' bereavement leave covering a wider range of relationships and pregnancy loss. Here is what is changing, and what it means for you.

ipswich.co.uk

Back home after one of the most memorable Labour Party Conferences. I had a relentlessly busy schedule as ever, with over 30 meetings, panels and events (plus one standout Leader's Speech), but huge fun to see so many friends. Thank you to our dedicated Party staff for all your hard work.

I have launched a survey asking people about the future of Waterloo House, the former Debenhams building. The site is at the heart of Ipswich town centre, so it's crucial we get this right. Please share your views by completing my survey - link below 👇 www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/2655647...

Ipswich former Debenhams building faces new future as MP launches public survey

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott launches a survey on plans to regenerate Waterloo House, the former Debenhams, after Ipswich Borough Council bought the empty…

ipswichstar.co.uk

For too long, grieving families, already enduring the loss of a loved one, have not received the support they deserve. That is wrong on so many levels. These new measures will put a stop to this grave injustice, so bereaved families can finally access the compensation they are entitled to.

Ipswich MP welcomes fairer compensation for asbestos families

Jack Abbott has welcomed new Government legislation that will end a £7,000 compensation shortfall for the bereaved families of asbestos and dust-disease victims.

ipswich.co.uk

It was great to meet students from Northgate High School on Monday. They had travelled down to Westminster to have a tour of Parliament, and learn more about government and our democracy.

This is an unbearable, heartbreaking tragedy. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with Noah's loved ones. If you can, please consider giving some support to Noah's family to help ease their burden at this time of unimaginable grief.

Help raise £50000 to support Noah Woods' family.. – JustGiving Crowdfunding

Iʼm raising money to support Noah Woods' family... Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

justgiving.com

💍 If you love them Go and tell them Tell them over and over and over again

A great Ipswich Labour team out in Rushmere this morning. Thank you to all the residents who took the time to speak to us today. Ipswich's Borough Council's purchase of the former Debenhams building, the Northern Bypass, breakfast clubs and childcare were some the issues that were raised with me.

What do you think the future should be for Waterloo House, the former Debenhams building? With Ipswich Borough Council taking ownership, we have a real opportunity to give this important site a new lease of life. Have your say by filling out my survey: www.jackabbott.org/waterloo-hou...

A brilliant morning as a new blue plaque dedicated to Edward Caley, designer of the Ipswich Wet Dock, was unveiled. Thanks and congratulations to the Wolsey 550, ABP, Ipswich Society and Broke Hall Primary School, plus all the other schools involved in the Ipswich Trail Makers project.

Ipswich gets new blue plaque honouring man who helped shape Waterfront

A new blue plaque dedicated to Edward Caley, the engineer who designed the Ipswich Wet Dock has been unveiled by schoolkids.

ipswichstar.co.uk

People will be very frustrated that we've had another wasted summer. We were led to believe that Suffolk County Council would finally put a proposal on the table, but that now appears to have been another delaying tactic, and they will now be carrying out further analysis for a further 6 months.

Fixing Ipswich's A14 problem could cost over £1bn and take more than a decade

A solution to Ipswich's reliance on a single crossing of the River Orwell could cost more than £1bn and not be finished until at least 2039 at the earliest, according to a Suffolk County Council repor...

ipswich.co.uk

I understand the disappointment felt by local residents, businesses, organisations and councils by today's announcement. A huge amount of work has been undertaken on Local Government Reorganisation in Ipswich and Suffolk, particularly over the past six months when the original decision was made.

Done deal! Ipswich Borough Council has bought Waterloo House, the former Debenhams building. What do you want the future of the site to be? Let me know 👇 #HighStreet #TownCentre #LocalEconomy #Ipswich #Suffolk

After years of service to our country and our party, I can completely understand why Sir Keir wishes to withdraw from frontline politics. I know he'll continue to tirelessly pursue the issues he cares deeply about, and I wish he and his family every happiness.

Exclusive: Sir Keir Starmer to step down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras

Former PM thanks local Labour supporters and says he is proud of what he delivered in 11 years in the House of Commons

camdennewjournal.co.uk

For my column this week, I did something different by handing it over to some brilliant young people on my Summer School - Anna, Charlotte, Erin and James - so they can tell you about their experience.

Whirlwind introduction to the world of politics

Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich, hands over his column to some brilliant young people who took part in his Summer School - Anna, Charlotte, Erin and…

eadt.co.uk

Period Rights Ipswich has written to Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council, urging them to provide free sanitary products in their toilets. This brilliant campaign, led by people on my Summer School, has had such an important impact in such a short space of time.

Youth campaign urges councils to fund free period products

Ipswich Period Rights has written to Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council calling for free period products in council-run public toilets. The letter has been backed by 15 local organisat...

ipswich.co.uk

A great Ipswich Labour team out in Bridge on Saturday morning. Thank you to all the people who took the time to speak to us.

There were some really brilliant GCSE results for students in Ipswich this year. Huge congratulations to everyone for their hard work, and good luck for what comes next.

GCSE results day brings top grades and personal successes across Ipswich

GCSE results day brought successes and top grades to students across Ipswich.

ipswichstar.co.uk

This £1.25 million funding from the Government will make a difference in tackling homelessness in Ipswich. It means practical support to help people get off the streets now, while also investing in accommodation and wraparound support people need to rebuild their lives.

Everyone sleeping rough in Ipswich to be offered route off streets this winter

Ipswich is set to receive more than £1.25 million in government funding to tackle rough sleeping, with the Government saying everyone sleeping rough in the town will be offered a route off the streets...

ipswich.co.uk

I try and make sure young people on my Summer School have experiences to remember, but I couldn't do that without the generosity of so many people and organisations. A special moment was watching our brilliant group on stage at the Ipswich Regent. Thank you to Regent team for making it happen.

My other Summer School team are highlighting the impact littering is having on Ipswich. It is something that regularly comes up when talking to local residents and businesses, so I'm really pleased this brilliant group of young people are working so proactively to tackle this issue.

Free litter pickers offered as a push to tidy Ipswich streets

Ipswich residents are being urged to make use of free litter-picking equipment, as a new campaign works to reduce rubbish on the town's streets and highlight local businesses already taking steps to c...

ipswich.co.uk

I'm very proud of the young people on my Summer School who are raising awareness about period poverty in Ipswich. They are highlighting the local businesses and community spaces that are offering free period products, while encouraging more to do the same.

Ipswich campaign shines a light on period poverty

A youth-led campaign is highlighting where people in Ipswich can access free period products, as part of a push to tackle period poverty and stigma in the town.

ipswich.co.uk

Thank you to all the residents who joined me for a busy community meeting in Central Ipswich last week. My final meeting for the summer takes places tomorrow evening in South East Ipswich. If you would like to attend, please email jack.abbott.mp@parliament.uk

Paying it forward. Gavin Shuker provided me with opportunities I didn't know were possible when he invited me to join his Summer School in 2011. 15 years later, I now get to do the same for young people living in Ipswich and Suffolk.

Jacob, Kathryn and Ella from my Summer School were on BBC Suffolk this morning talking about their experiences of Results Day and what they did next. What is really clear is that everyone will take different paths and there are lots of options and opportunities.

I'm so pleased to be hosting a great bunch of people for my Summer School this year. Yesterday was a trip to Westminster and a photo outside the most famous door in the country! The fortnight is all about growing skills, insights, relationships, opportunities and values.

Thank you to all the local residents who attended my recent community meeting in South West Ipswich. I have two more community meetings this summer in Central and South East Ipswich taking place this Wednesday evening and next. Please email jack.abbott.mp@parliament.uk if you would like to attend.

It was good to be out in St John's talking to residents yesterday morning. Along with local councillors Neil MacDonald and Elango Elavalakan, we heard frustrations with the parking situation. I'll be picking this up with Suffolk County Council and other organisations next week.

Woodlands plays an important role in providing specialist mental health services locally and this will bring additional dedicated emergency provision to the site. This new provision should help people access the right specialist support in the right setting while reducing pressure on A&E.

Ipswich Hospital to get dedicated mental health crisis support

People experiencing a mental health crisis in Ipswich will be able to access specialist emergency support at Woodlands Unit, rather than waiting in a busy A&E department, under new government plans an...

ipswich.co.uk