Jack Abbott MP

It was such a joy to join Suffolk Bengali Society for their Durga Puja event at the weekend. It was such a vibrant, colourful and happy celebration with hundreds of people in attendance across both days. Thank you to all those who worked so hard in making it happen.

Retail crime is a scourge on our communities. As a Government we are taking action to tackle this issue, but there is work to be done locally too. That's why I brought together Suffolk Police and the East of England Co-op to see what more we can do so shop workers and customers feel safe.

Autumn has definitely arrived, but our Ipswich Labour team are out every week, all year round, talking to local residents, even if it's a bit wet, rainy or cold! This weekend, we met people in Downside Close. Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak to us.

Culture? What culture? #ProudOfIpswich

It wasn't to be for Ipswich's City of Culture bid, but we should be so proud of how far we have come, and excited about where we are going. This bid wasn't the full stop on my ambitions for our town, I have always seen it as a catalyst for a brighter future. We have much more to come.

This isn't the result we were hoping for, but I'm so proud of our town. The bid has changed how Ipswich sees itself and the partnerships, aspiration, ideas and the confidence it has built will remain. This is not the full stop on my ambition and I'll keep fighting for investment and opportunities.

I'm really pleased that a new Post Office will be opening in Ipswich town centre following the closure of the branch in TG Jones - credit to them for finding a new location so quickly. Other town centre post offices in Fore Street and Carr Street remain open.

Babies and mothers in Ipswich and Suffolk need the best possible care, but Ipswich Hospital's maternity building is way past its sell-by date. I'll keep pressing the Government for support to deliver a new maternity site that is fit for purpose.

Charities like Suffolk Mind and our local Samaritans branch do crucial work in supporting young people with their mental health. I'm delighted Suffolk Mind is receiving funding through the Government's Pride in Place programme for a dedicated mental health and wellbeing hub in Ipswich town centre.

Lovely to be out talking to local residents with a great Ipswich Labour team last week. We are pictured in front of probably my favourite Ipswich park, Holywells. Which is your favourite Ipswich park and why?

I have written to the Reform administration at Suffolk County Council to express my deep concerns at their proposals which could cut up to 50 community staff nurses. Their consultation closes today - make your views known here: www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-...

It was good to join Cordelia Kretzschmar and Pippa Heylings at the Blue Earth Summit to discuss whether Net Zero has become too toxic to deliver. I said the words we use matter less than the outcomes, namely more affordable, sustainable and secure energy which meets the needs of our climate.

🚨LAST CALL🚨 350 people have now completed my survey about the future of Waterloo House, the former Debenhams building. My survey closes today so please submit your ideas at: www.jackabbott.org/waterloo-hou...

I was delighted to visit St Margaret’s CEVA Primary School recently, one of a number of schools in Ipswich and Suffolk which is now benefitting from our Government's free breakfast clubs. The breakfast club is already helping children and families by offering the best possible start to the day.

While our Government is investing millions in family services in Suffolk, Reform-led Suffolk County Council is threatening to axe 50 community staff nurses and close a dozen Family Hubs. It'd be unforgiveable for Reform to push ahead with cuts that'd so badly impact children and their families.

People over profit. That's what our loved ones deserve when it comes to social care, but around 80% of the largest care home providers are owned or backed by private equity. Instead, co-operatives should be central to how we deliver care. My op-ed for @politicshome.bsky.social 👇

It's time to put people before profit. For too long, people like my grandparents have had to exhaust their savings and pensions to receive the care they need. We need to fix our broken care system and put co-operative principles at the heart of a new National Care Service. My question to the PM 👇

Over 250 people have responded to my survey about what should happen to the old Debenhams building. After lying empty for years, a new future is possible for the site and our town centre. My survey closes on Friday 16 October - let me know your ideas at: www.jackabbott.org/waterloo-house-survey

Recovery from an eating disorder does not stop when someone leaves specialist care. The new clinic at Princes Street gives people in Ipswich and Suffolk a place to rebuild their independence with expert help close by, and I know this will make a life-changing difference.

A great teatime canvass in Holborn & St Pancras with friends, the last before polling day. Wishing Sagal Abdi-Wali all the very best tomorrow - you've been an inspiring candidate, and you will make a wonderful MP.

Behind every loss is a family that deserves time to heal, time to grieve shouldn't depend on where you work. Our Government's changes - a new legal right to bereavement leave - will deliver security and breathing room for families, giving them the right to grieve loss in a way that works for them.

Back home after one of the most memorable Labour Party Conferences. I had a relentlessly busy schedule as ever, with over 30 meetings, panels and events (plus one standout Leader's Speech), but huge fun to see so many friends. Thank you to our dedicated Party staff for all your hard work.

For too long, grieving families, already enduring the loss of a loved one, have not received the support they deserve. That is wrong on so many levels. These new measures will put a stop to this grave injustice, so bereaved families can finally access the compensation they are entitled to.

It was great to meet students from Northgate High School on Monday. They had travelled down to Westminster to have a tour of Parliament, and learn more about government and our democracy.

This is an unbearable, heartbreaking tragedy. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with Noah's loved ones. If you can, please consider giving some support to Noah's family to help ease their burden at this time of unimaginable grief.

💍 If you love them Go and tell them Tell them over and over and over again

A great Ipswich Labour team out in Rushmere this morning. Thank you to all the residents who took the time to speak to us today. Ipswich's Borough Council's purchase of the former Debenhams building, the Northern Bypass, breakfast clubs and childcare were some the issues that were raised with me.

What do you think the future should be for Waterloo House, the former Debenhams building? With Ipswich Borough Council taking ownership, we have a real opportunity to give this important site a new lease of life. Have your say by filling out my survey: www.jackabbott.org/waterloo-hou...

A brilliant morning as a new blue plaque dedicated to Edward Caley, designer of the Ipswich Wet Dock, was unveiled. Thanks and congratulations to the Wolsey 550, ABP, Ipswich Society and Broke Hall Primary School, plus all the other schools involved in the Ipswich Trail Makers project.