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Council to consult on new housing and homelessness strategy

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Ipswich Borough Council will consider adopting a new 5-year housing strategy next week, with plans to launch a public consultation if approved.

The big picture: The Housing Strategy and Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030 aims to improve housing services in Ipswich, with five key priorities:

  • Providing high-quality advice

  • Focusing on early prevention

  • Working to end rough sleeping

  • Facilitating access to suitable accommodation

  • Building partnerships to support residents

Man sleeping rough
A man sleeps roughDominika ZarzyckaGetty

Why it matters: The strategy will shape the council's approach to housing and homelessness over the next five years, impacting thousands of Ipswich residents.

Key details:

  • The Executive will vote on the strategy at its meeting on 10 September

  • If approved, a public consultation will run from 10 September to 8 October

  • Residents will be invited to complete an online survey

What they're saying: Councillor Alasdair Ross, Portfolio Holder for Housing, called the consultation "a crucial opportunity for us to hear directly from the people of Ipswich."

"It is vital that we understand the views and concerns of our community as we work towards ensuring safe, affordable, and quality housing for all," Ross said.

The bottom line: The council says public input will be "invaluable" in helping enhance housing standards, support vulnerable people, and build a "stronger, more resilient Ipswich."

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Farage more trusted than Starmer in East of England, latest poll finds

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Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

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We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is more trusted to represent the UK internationally than PM Keir Starmer among East of England voters, new polling reveals.

Why it matters: The findings highlight a significant decline in trust for the main party leaders in the region less than a year after the general election.

The poll, conducted by communications agency PLMR and Electoral Calculus, shows Farage ranked highest among named leaders at 19% in the East of England, ahead of Sir Keir Starmer (13%), Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch (6%) and Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey (5%).

Nigel Farage
Nigel FarageAlamy

The bigger picture: One in three voters (33%) in the region responded "none of the above" when asked which political figure they would trust most, suggesting a broader decline in overall trust in UK political leaders.

By the numbers: The same poll indicates Reform UK would become the largest party in the region if an election were held tomorrow:

  • Reform: 21 seats

  • Conservatives: 10 seats

  • Labour: 4 seats

  • Liberal Democrats: 2 seats

  • Greens: 1 seat

In contrast: Nationally, Farage and Starmer are tied at 16% among those who named a preference, highlighting a more polarised national picture, with the Reform UK leader building more trust with voters in the East of England specifically.

What they're saying: "This polling highlights a significant decline in trust for the two main party leaders among East of England voters when it comes to representing the UK on the international stage," said Tim Miller , Managing Director of PLMR Genesis , the East of England branch of PLMR.

Reform and Nigel Farage have seemingly been able to capitalise on this and it's now translating into voting intentions, with the Party set to overtake Labour and the Conservatives in the region with the largest number of seats – a seismic political shift.

Between the lines: The poll suggests Reform would make strong gains across the region, potentially taking seats from both major parties:

  • Suffolk: Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket from Labour

  • Essex: Braintree from the Conservatives and Thurrock from Labour

  • Cambridgeshire: North East from the Conservatives and North West from Labour

  • Norfolk: North West from the Conservatives and South West from Labour

Tim Miller on a backdrop of Ipswich from above and political party colour overlays
Tim Miller of PLMR GenesisOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The national outlook: The survey of 5,180 adults showed Reform securing 25% of the vote share nationally, compared to 23% each for Labour and the Conservatives. This would translate to 227 seats for Reform, 180 for Labour and 130 for the Conservatives.

The bottom line: "If Labour wants to keep Reform at bay, hold onto the gains they made in the East of England and remain in government in four year's time, the Party needs to focus on getting their message across more clearly to voters and instil confidence in their domestic agenda," Miller concluded.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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