Public commitments
On the Labour government scrapping the Suffolk devolution deal
12th September 2024
In response to the Labour government scrapping the £500m Suffolk devolution deal, Abbott issued the following statement:
"The reality is, the deal put on the table by the previous Conservative government shortchanged Suffolk and created a bizarre political settlement.
“I'm much more ambitious for Suffolk - I believe we deserve our fair share - so it is welcome that the new Government will review this devolution settlement and come back with a proper agreement that values our great county.”
On resolving the A14 challenges
11th September 2024
In response to the announcement that the Orwell bridge lane closure would be extended by two weeks, Jack Abbott issued a public statement on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter):
"I've written to National Highways to receive proper clarity re. the timescales of these works - our town and surrounding area can't be left in gridlock.
"Crippling delays can't keep happening. It's time to have a serious conversation about new mitigations and alternatives."
12th September 2024 – Commitment to revive the Ipswich Transportation Task Force and Northern Bypass planning
Following pressure from this publication, and local business leaders and residents, and amidst ongoing travel disruption caused by the lane closure on the Orwell Bridge, Abbott issued the following statement:
“I have been contacted by numerous constituents and local businesses who have been affected by the closure of one lane of the Orwell Bridge, which is harming our local economy and causing chaos in our town.
“While the bridge is partially closed, I have asked Suffolk County Council to cancel all non-essential roadworks in the town centre to ease the flow of traffic and prevent further jams.
“Now is also the right time for the Ipswich Transportation Taskforce to be reinstated. A reinvigorated taskforce would have the ability to bring together stakeholders, consult the public and make recommendations to Suffolk County Council and other decision-making bodies about strategic transport priorities in the area, including, but not limited to, the potential of a bypass north of the town.
“I look forward to working with Suffolk County Council and local stakeholders to address these ongoing problems, which cannot keep grinding our town to a halt.”
No update since.
On Police meetings
2nd September 2024
Jack Abbott wrote to Tim Passmore, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, and Rachel Kearton, Suffolk Chief Constable, urging them to add a Police Connect meeting in the town after it was revealed the closest one would be in Martlesham.
He said:
“These events are important opportunities for the public to engage with policing in Suffolk at the highest level, and it is crucial that as many voices as possible are able to provide their insights so the force can better understand the challenges facing people in their day-to-day lives, as well as reflecting on the areas of success.
“Despite being Suffolk’s largest town by some distance, there is a perception that Ipswich is sometimes treated as an afterthought. With that in mind, I believe that omitting our town from these meetings would be a mistake at a time when we need to be fostering positive relationships and providing reassurance to residents.
“I would, therefore, urge the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable to add an additional date in the centre of Ipswich, as has been done in the past.”
No update since.
On Ipswich Borough Council's children's services
21st August 2024
Following Suffolk's children's services being downgraded from 'outstanding' to 'requires improvement' by Ofsted, Jack Abbott met with Suffolk County Council to discuss the report's findings and offered them his support.
He issued the following statement:
“The latest OFSTED report into Suffolk County Council’s children’s services is concerning.
“The report shows that services for vulnerable children have deteriorated over the past five years, and serious improvements are required right across the board.
“I have already met with Suffolk County Council to discuss the findings, and will work closely with them to turn this situation around. Our children in Suffolk need and deserve so much better than the findings of this report.”
No update since.
On unsafe cladding at Churchmans House
21st August 2024
On Wednesday, 21st August 2024, Jack Abbott wrote a letter to Rushanara Ali, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Building Safety and Homelessness, urging the government to fully fund the replacement of cladding at Churchman's House and highlighting the town's ongoing building safety crisis.
He issued the following statement:
“I am pleased that the new Labour government has promised to accelerate the pace of remediation for leasehold properties.
“Those who are responsible for the building safety crisis should be the ones paying to fix it. It should never come down to leaseholders to fork out thousands on legal fees.
“I will work with the Labour government to deliver on their ambitious promises regarding building safety and reform of the leasehold system."
17th September 2024 – Commitment from the government to fund the required work
Rushanara Ali, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Building Safety and Homelessness, confirmed Churchmans House is eligible for funding to remediate all necessary works identified in the March 2024 Fire Risk Assessment.
A Grant Funding Agreement has been executed, with an additional pre-tender support payment due next week.
No contribution will be sought from leaseholders for eligible works.
18th November, 2024
On CrossCountry's rail services
13th August 2024
Abbott wrote to train operator CrossCountry, demanding improvements to its train services despite the operator not running any services in Suffolk.
He issued the following statement:
“For far too long, CrossCountry has let down passengers, and failed to provide the level of service that Ipswich deserves.
“Reliable train services are crucial to ensuring access to work, education and leisure opportunities across the East of England.
“I have asked for regular updates on the progress of CrossCountry’s remedial plan, and immediate mitigation factors.
“I will continue to work with the operator and the Department for Transport to ensure passengers in Ipswich get a better deal.”
No update since.
On Cardinal Medical Practice
12th August 2024
Three years after its controversial formation and more than two years after a Care Quality Commission inspection found the practice "requires improvement," our investigation revealed persistent issues at Cardinal Medical Practice.
Abbott told Ipswich.co.uk:
“This is not a reflection on the hard-working staff at the Practice, but rather an indication of the wider state of our NHS after 14 years of Conservative negligence.
“Labour has a plan for our NHS - from ending the 8am scramble for appointments to fixing our staffing shortage by training thousands of new GPs, and from guaranteeing face-to-face appointments for all who want them to bringing back the ‘family doctor’.
He committed to act by "engaging with both the Practice and CQC to ensure the access to care is at the level which patients, rightly, expect and deserve."
30th November, 2024
Jack Abbott and Patrick Spencer met with Health Minister Stephen Kinnock on Saturday 30 November:
Both MPs emphasised the need for improved primary care in north west Ipswich
The minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to community-based healthcare
The project was meant to align with recommendations from the Darzi Report on NHS strategy
No immediate solution was proposed
On retail crime in Ipswich
29th July 2024
During a parliamentary session on 29th July 2024, following news that shop worker assaults in Ipswich had tripled, Abbott raised concerns about rising retail crime in Suffolk.
Abbott said: "Record rates of retail crime and shoplifting are a blight on our high streets, including ours in Ipswich, where too often such instances act as a flashpoint for completely unacceptable levels of violence, threats and abuse directed towards retail workers themselves."
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department stated that Dame Diana Johnson would happily visit Ipswich with him.
No update since.
