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University of Suffolk drops 18 places in national rankings

News

The University of Suffolk has fallen 18 places in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025, ranking 124th out of 131 UK universities.

The big picture: The University of Suffolk now ranks 124th out of 131 UK universities, making it the 8th lowest-ranked institution nationally. In East Anglia, it sits second from bottom, with Anglia Ruskin University placing lower at 130th, the second-lowest in the country.

By the numbers: Here's how the university scored:

  • Teaching quality: 82.2% (63rd)

  • Student experience: 75.1% (96th)

  • Research quality: 21.8% (108th)

  • Entry standards: 114 (107th)

  • Graduate prospects: 72% (93rd)

  • Continuation rate: 79.7% (128th)

  • Student-staff ratio: 13.1 (13th)

  • Total score: 407 (124th)

What it means: The drop in ranking could impact the university's ability to attract students and funding. However, it's important to note that rankings don't tell the whole story of a university's value or student experience.

For example, the university ranks 13th in the country for its student-to-staff ratio, 63rd for teaching quality (around mid-table), 96th for student experience, and 104th for its 2:1 rate.

Regional context: The University of Cambridge remains the top-ranked institution in East Anglia, placing 4th nationally. The University of East Anglia and the University of Essex round out the top three in the region.

What's next: The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 provides detailed profiles and rankings for 134 UK universities. The full guide is available online at thetimes.com/gooduniversityguide.

Serial waste offender faces High Court action after decades of illegal dumping

News

A man previously convicted of allowing cocaine production on his land has been ordered to stop illegal waste disposal activities at the same site, following multiple failed prosecutions over 20 years.

Why it matters: The case highlights how persistent offenders can continue environmental crimes despite repeated prosecutions, forcing councils to pursue expensive High Court action, often at the taxpayer's expense.

The big picture: Paul Arthur Fenton, 59, of Hadleigh, has been prosecuted four times since 2001 for illegal waste activities at Flowton Pit. Despite these convictions, the illegal dumping continued, leading Suffolk County Council to seek a High Court injunction.

Illegal waste dumped at the site in Flowton, near Ipswich
Paul Fenton has been ordered to stop illegal waste disposal activities at the site in Flowton, near IpswichSuffolk County Council

Details:

  • The High Court has now ordered Fenton to cease all waste disposal at the Flowton Road site

  • He must remove all waste materials within three months, by 27 November 2024

  • Fenton did not respond to pre-action letters or attend the court hearing

  • The site has previously been linked to criminal activity, with Fenton convicted of allowing it to be used for cocaine production

What they're saying: "We will not stand for the actions of people like Mr Fenton, whose behaviour is wholly selfish with no regard for others," said Councillor Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy, Planning and Waste.

Illegal waste dumped at the site in Flowton, near Ipswich
The High Court has now ordered Fenton to cease all waste disposal at the Flowton Road siteSuffolk County Council

Impact on community:

  • Local businesses affected by unfair competition from illegal disposal

  • Environmental damage, including possible destruction of badger setts

  • Disruption to rural and residential areas

  • Impact on local access routes

The bottom line: Despite two decades of enforcement action, it took a High Court injunction to finally force action at this problematic waste site, highlighting the challenges authorities face in stopping persistent environmental offenders.

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