Changes to local government in Suffolk offer a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We mustn't tinker around the edges of a system that doesn't work, but instead look to the future. That's why I back three powerhouse councils for our county: Greater Ipswich, East and West Suffolk.

Here’s why Labour members are backing @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social for Deputy Leader ⬇️

I know many people in our town struggle to access timely healthcare. There is a need to move services out of hospital and into communities, so I am pleased Ipswich is one of the first beneficiaries of this neighbourhood approach. Services will become more joined-up, and focused on prevention.

As a teaching assistant I worked with many brilliant, inclusive teachers, but I know that good practice needs to be much more consistent so every child with SEND can thrive. That is why I believe SEND teacher training should be mandatory. Every teacher should be a SEND teacher.

Every life lost represents a person, a family, and a community left devastated, so it's encouraging to see National Highways develop suicide prevention measures. However, I know physical changes alone aren't enough. We must tackle root causes and ensure people have access to mental health support.

I'm delighted to have been appointed Private Parliamentary Secretary to Lisa Nandy in DCMS. Ipswich is being revived by sport, arts and culture - now I get to work on this nationally! I am so grateful to Baroness Smith of Basildon and her wonderful team in the Lords for the past six months.

Devolution and local government reorganisation mustn't be a sticking plaster, but a catalyst for our future. A Greater Ipswich Council, alongside friends in East and West Suffolk, is a generational opportunity for our town and county. #ICYMI my East Anglian Daily Times / Ipswich Star column 👇

Israel’s strikes on Doha doesn't bring the end to the devastating situation in Gaza any closer, and only serves to escalate this crisis. But we can't give up on peace. Aid needs to flow into Gaza. There needs to be an immediate ceasefire. A two-state solution must be the future.

I know that good transport links are a lifeline for so many people to get to work, visit family or take up urgent appointments. After years of brutal cuts to local transport, I am pleased that our Labour Government is providing nearly £30m in funding to transform services in Ipswich and Suffolk.

MPs will return to Parliament this week as summer draws to a close. However, whether it is in Westminster or back at home, my focus remains the same: delivering for Ipswich. We have got a lot done over the past year, but I know there is a lot more to do, as we rebuild our town, and our country.

Ipswich’s arts and culture scene is not simply simmering away – it has reached boiling point. That is why I brought together Ipswich's leading creatives to discuss a potential City of Culture bid, and to build on our town's special and successful summer.

Later today, I will be sending out my latest newsletter sharing what I have been up to over the summer in Ipswich. Sign up to receive my regular updates directly to your inbox 👇 0299cbf3.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAB...

Fantastic work by the Let's Assist Ipswich group to raise the profile for guide dog users around town 👏 #GuideDogs #AssistanceDogs #Accessibility

It's really welcome the Government has approved over 100 new SEND places in Suffolk. This includes a new 24-place unit for Ipswich Academy. Much of our SEND system needs fixing, but we desperately need new specialist places, so this is a positive step forward. www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/2541789...

It is tragic news that a woman's body was found in Sherrington Road Recreation Ground. If you have any information at all, please contact the police: - www.suffolk.police.uk - Call 101 quoting: SC-27082025-41 - Report anonymously: Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org

I'm proud of my summer schoolers for their impactful campaign. I've heard too many stories of people who rely on assistance dogs being refused entry. This is a positive response, with more than 80 Ipswich businesses pledging to become assistance dog-friendly.

Congratulations to the Red Rose Chain for their brilliant summer production of Hamlet. The Sutton Hoo-inspired Ghost was particularly awesome, but the whole performance was so memorable; dramatic, but full of light relief. We will be back for next year's Theatre in the Forest!

🥂 My Summer School #ClassOf2025. I could not have asked for a better group. Talented, dedicated, ambitious, and empathetic, this generation will help build a greater future for Ipswich and Suffolk. I'm proud and inspired by them, and I can't wait to see what they do next.

A good morning out speaking to residents on Prince of Wales Drive in Ipswich. A huge thank you to the Ipswich Labour team who joined me, and all the people who took the time to talk to us.

I am really grateful to Nigel and the @sizewellc.bsky.social team for giving my Summer School such a brilliant experience. As I have said before, Sizewell C is about power, but it is also about people. That is why I am matching the ambition and talent of our young people with real opportunities.

Huge congratulations to everyone in Ipswich and Suffolk who received their GCSE results today - there were some real success stories. Enjoy the rest of the summer and good luck for whatever comes next!

A summer school was my route into politics, so I am giving the same chance to young people from Ipswich and Suffolk. This is not about 'how to become an MP' - it is about values, opportunity and public service. My latest East Anglian Daily Times / Ipswich Star column 👇

I'm so proud of my Summer Schoolers. Saffeen, Alex, Hannah and Joe spoke to BBC Suffolk about why they have got involved, and the change they want to make. They are passionate, ambitious and talented, and I'm delighted to be working with them.

I loved having my Summer School join Ipswich Labour and I for our weekly canvassing session. We were talking to residents across Alexandra ward this morning. Thank you to everyone who took the time to talk to us.

Today, people gathered to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. It was an honour to lay a wreath on behalf of our town, in remembrance of those from Ipswich and Suffolk who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom. We will remember them.

While Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is now a national issue, children and families in Suffolk have suffered from this crisis for a decade. I will keep fighting alongside them to fix this broken system. #ICYMI my latest East Anglian Daily Times / Ipswich Star column 👇

Congratulations to everyone in Ipswich who received their A-Level, T-Level and VTQ results. A special shoutout to Emily (one of my Summer Schoolers) for a Distinction in her Early Years Education T Level, and Maliki (who recently intro'd the Prime Minister) for a Merit in his Engineering T Level!

☀️ 🛥️ Ipswich Waterfront glorious in the sunshine this morning.

Last week, I hosted a town hall to discuss 'safer streets'. Thanks to the residents who took part, as well as the reps from Suffolk Police, Ipswich Borough Council and Ipswich Central. My final town hall takes place on Tuesday. Fill out my Residents' Survey to RSVP: www.jackabbott.org/summerseries

I'm delighted to have kicked off my Summer School. A Summer School was my route into politics, so I'm giving the same opportunity to 18 young people from Ipswich and Suffolk. This is such a talented and dedicated group, and I'm so pleased to be working with them.

🌲 Lovely run in Rendlesham Forest this morning

It was lovely to visit Booth Court for a conversation about my first year as Ipswich's MP, and my plans for the future. It was part of my Summer Series, a variety of events where I am engaging with residents across our town. Having my Grandma in the audience was a nice bonus!

A great Ipswich Labour team out in Priory Heath this morning. Thank you to all the residents who took the time to speak to us. (The Golden Hind are hosting a Rock n Roll All Dayer today - they have got live music on from 2pm - late!)

When it comes to making Ipswich's streets safer, the time for warm words is over. I wasn't elected to be a keyboard warrior and complain about our challenges. I was elected to address them. Now is the time for listening, action, and delivery. My East Anglian Daily Times / Ipswich Star column 👇

Last week, I met with families who have been so badly failed by Suffolk's broken SEND system, and listened to the heartbreaking stories of children and their parents. My 'safer streets' town hall takes place on Thursday evening. Fill out my Residents' Survey to RSVP: www.jackabbott.org/summerseries

After brutal Conservative cuts to children's centres, our Labour government is rebuilding early years with Best Start Family Hubs. Inspired by the legacy of Sure Start, we are creating a new future for families. #ICYMI my latest East Anglian Daily Times / Ipswich Star column 👇

Thank you to everyone who joined me to discuss our town centre. We've our challenges, but we heard about the good work that is happening, and had a positive conversation. We'll be talking about SEND at my town hall tomorrow morning. Please email [email protected] if you'd like to attend.

I am delighted that our Labour Government has delivered a £1.8m funding boost for our hospices in Ipswich and Suffolk. I have visited both St Elizabeth Hospice and East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), and have seen their incredible work, supporting people with such empathy and care.

There were over 400 people in Christchurch Park for the Ipswich parkrun on Saturday! It is such a supportive environment for runners of all abilities, and you couldn't ask for a better backdrop! A huge thank you to all the volunteers who make this event possible 👍

Our Ipswich Labour team were out in Stoke Park today. I spoke to lots of residents in the Royals who were really passionate about improving their local community and our town. Thank you to everyone who took the time to talk to us - some great conversations!

I thank National Highways for their hard work in completing these difficult repairs ahead of schedule. However, the end of these works will only be a temporary respite. The Suffolk Conservatives must now deliver on their promise for a Northern Bypass.

I thank National Highways for their hard work in completing these difficult repairs ahead of schedule. However, the end of these works will only be a temporary respite. The Suffolk Conservatives must now deliver on their promise for a Northern Bypass.

🩷 Ed Sheeran's hat-trick of gigs made for a special weekend, one that will live long in the memory. What's exciting is that this isn't a one off - Ipswich's music, arts and cultural offering is exploding. #ICYMI my latest East Anglian Daily Times / Ipswich Star column 👇

My next town hall takes place tomorrow evening - we will be talking about the town centre. If you would like to join the conversation and help build a greater Ipswich, please fill out my Residents' Survey and we will send you the details. Information here: www.jackabbott.org/summerseries

I am delighted this new state-of-the-art youth centre is moving ahead with funding worth £1.1 million. 4YP’s project will deliver a dedicated, safe space for young people in our town. It is an investment in Ipswich's future.

The Conservatives allowed record levels of toxic sewage to pour into rivers like the Gipping and Orwell. Our Labour Government won't allow this disgusting mess to continue: we're taking action, including banning unfair bonuses for water bosses. A message from the Environment Secretary, Steve Reed👇

Our Ipswich Labour team beat the showers this morning. We were out talking to residents in Holywells, and we covered a lot of ground and a lot of subjects! Social care, children's services, the town centre, and the need for a Northern Bypass all came up in conversation!

Green shoots are coming through in Ipswich - you can really feel it this summer. There is much more to do, but we should celebrate the progress we have made in the last year. We are building a greater Ipswich, together. My latest East Anglian Daily Times / Ipswich Star column 👇

🩷 Some gigs just mean more. People will be talking about Ed Sheeran's homecoming for years to come. It made people happy, brought us all together, and we felt so proud to be from Ipswich and Suffolk. The world's spotlight shone on our town, and we rose to the occasion.

I hosted my latest town hall yesterday, and we had a really good discussion about transport, the Orwell Bridge and a Northern Bypass. We'll be talking about the town centre at my next event. Find out more about my Summer Series and fill out my Residents' Survey to RSVP: jackabbott.org/summerseries