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St Francis Tower residents could return in 2025 after government funding secured

Evacuated residents of St Francis Tower in Ipswich could return to their homes by 2025 following new government funding. The announcement comes six months after residents were forced to leave due to flooding.

Why it matters: The funding aims to resolve long-running safety issues at the tower block, where remediation work first began in 2018.

The big picture:

  • Residents were fully evacuated in July 2023 following extensive flooding

  • Building work has faced multiple setbacks since starting in 2018

  • Return timeline depends on work starting immediately

  • Government has promised "millions of pounds" for repairs

Cladding was removed St Francis Tower in Ipswich in 2019 following the Grenfell fire
Alamy
Cladding was removed St Francis Tower in Ipswich in 2019 following the Grenfell fire

What they're saying: "For residents of St Francis Tower, the Building Safety Crisis has been an ongoing nightmare," says Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich. "After years of being subjected to never-ending works while living shrink-wrap, they were then evicted from their homes last year after devastating flooding."

The bottom line: While the funding marks a significant breakthrough, the 2025 return date depends on work beginning without delay.

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This family-run construction company has delivered quality services across commercial building, fire protection, diamond drilling, health and safety, and asbestos removal for over 30 years.
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PLMR Genesis

PLMR Genesis is a full-service PR and digital marketing agency based in Ipswich. The team is the East of England flagship for PLMR.
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Free training courses launched to get Suffolk working

More than 30 free training courses have been launched in Suffolk to help workers and businesses gain skills in sectors including construction, healthcare and clean energy.
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Ensors expands Ipswich office amid recruitment drive

One of East Anglia's oldest accountancy firms has expanded its Ipswich office with new workspaces, meeting rooms and an outdoor deck as business growth drives recruitment.
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500 students try CPR and VR at Ipswich NHS careers fair

Hundreds of students practised CPR on medical training dummies, tried virtual reality headsets at a radiotherapy stand and competed in a 30-second 'Sit to Stand' fitness challenge as an NHS careers fair brought hands-on healthcare demonstrations to Trinity Park.
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Man charged with eight offences after Burrell Road hit-and-run

A 32-year-old Ipswich man has been charged with eight offences, including causing serious injury by dangerous driving, drink-driving and driving without a license, after a woman was left in a critical condition following a hit-and-run collision on Burrell Road last Thursday morning.
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GBS , Ipswich School and PLMR Genesis

GBS logo

GBS

This family-run construction company has delivered quality services across commercial building, fire protection, diamond drilling, health and safety, and asbestos removal for over 30 years.
The PLMR Genesis team

PLMR Genesis

PLMR Genesis is a full-service PR and digital marketing agency based in Ipswich. The team is the East of England flagship for PLMR.
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SEN Santa sessions at Buttermarket this weekend

Santa will turn down the music and limit numbers at the Buttermarket Shopping Centre this weekend after parents asked for calmer festive events for children with special educational needs (SEN).
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Suffolk researchers test whether singing can treat Parkinson's 'poker face'

Researchers in Suffolk are launching what they believe is the first UK study testing whether musical-theatre-style singing can rehabilitate facial expression in Parkinson's patients – addressing a symptom that affects around 9 in 10 people but has limited treatment options.
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Woman fighting for life after hit-and-run on Burrell Road

A woman is in a life-threatening condition in hospital after being hit by a car whose driver fled the scene on Burrell Road in Ipswich this morning, with a man in his 30s now arrested in connection with the incident.
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GBS , Ipswich School and PLMR Genesis

GBS logo

GBS

This family-run construction company has delivered quality services across commercial building, fire protection, diamond drilling, health and safety, and asbestos removal for over 30 years.
The PLMR Genesis team

PLMR Genesis

PLMR Genesis is a full-service PR and digital marketing agency based in Ipswich. The team is the East of England flagship for PLMR.
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Gym manager's childhood inspires hospital toy appeal

A Martlesham gym manager who spent much of her childhood in hospital has launched a toy appeal that has collected nearly 150 Christmas gifts for young patients at Ipswich Hospital.
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