Improving Ipswich Schools
I was very pleased to see the results of the Ofsted adjudication of local schools that were assessed in December of last year. 85% of schools in Ipswich have been ranked as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’. When this is broken down it reveals that 81% of primary schools (21 of 26) and 100% of secondary schools (6 of 6) are ranked as such. This is fantastic news however, when put into the context of the ground we’ve covered in Ipswich over the 14 years it is even better. In August 2010 only 69% of schools in the town were ranked as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’, with this breaking down to 62% of primary schools (16 of 24) and only 67% of secondary schools (4 of 6). This improvement is fantastic, and I commend and praise all of the teachers and staff at those institutions for helping it to happen – you can’t have outstanding schools without outstanding teachers.
Of course, there is always room for improvement, and we can’t look at this through entirely rose-tinted spectacles, as I know from my dedicated campaigning for better SEND provision there are always children who when at school can be supported better and given better tailored education, however with this great news in mind we can move forward in the knowledge that things are improving.
I am pleased to say that I’ve seen this improvement first hand during my time as MP for Ipswich, having developed great relationships with many of the schools in my constituency. I have seen this positive change and progress with my own eyes.
This is even more impressive when you take into account the fact that much of this has been achieved despite the fact that in recent years we have faced some significant challenges – whether it be lack of funding or the pressures posed by the pandemic and its aftermath – schools and teachers in Ipswich have continued to provide a first class education.
Protecting Britain – Increase in Defence Spending
I was very pleased this week to see the commitments from the government to raise defence spending by £75 billion over the next 6 years –increasing defence spending to 2.5% by 2030.
We operate one of the best and well-trained militaries in the world and this money will aid our armed forces in keeping our shores safe for now and the future.
We are the biggest defence spender in Europe and the second biggest in NATO after the United States. It is imperative that we continue to maintain our military and increase the money we spend on it as pledged by the Ministry for Defence. All three branches of our armed services play a vital role -The Royal Navy operates 72 vessels, including 6 nuclear and 4 ballistic nuclear submarines, The British Army deployed in 67 countries, with 14,000 troops on operations in Europe last year and The Royal Airforce has a greater lift capacity today than at any time since the Second World War.
Over the course of the 21st century the geopolitical landscape is sadly set to become more dangerous and hostile and as a result we need to ensure that we are militarily secure and able to protect our nation and those within it. As a result I welcome this spending increase with great enthusiasm.
Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour
I’m well aware of my constituents concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in the Town centre. The reality is the Labour led council could be doing far more. The whole of the Town Centre is covered by a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) giving the Borough Council a suite of powers to tackle crime and anti social behaviour in the Town centre. The reality is they are doing very little. For example, the large groups of men drinking alcohol in the Town centre. Council officers could engage with these groups and request they bin the alcohol but they don’t.
Both Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk Police need to adopt a zero tolerance approach to tackling crime and anti social behaviour in the Town centre. To date, sadly, this hasn’t been the case.
I raised my concerns today with the Secretary State.
Asking the Energy Security Minister about fully utilising our natural resources
I’ve always believed that as a country, we should fully utilise our natural resources. I also believe that we should take a pragmatic route to the transition to green energy and cutting our carbon emissions.
Realistically, this will mean using a certain amount of natural gas and oil over the short term. If we’re going to use it, it may as well be British natural gas and oil. This is good for jobs and investment in the UK, good for energy security, good for lower energy costs and as you’ll see from the Minister’s response to my question, good for our carbon footprint. It is worse for the environment for us to import these natural resources from abroad.
Visiting Brickmakers Wood
Was great to have a chat with Rob from the Men’s Shed at Brickmakers Wood and a tour of their facilities. Also spoke with Jo who is running the new Sheshed.
Brickmakers Wood provides a fantastic space for men to come together to develop new skills in an environment that boosts their mental wellbeing. I dropped in on a couple of workshops in which a boat, a notice board for the community and a pond dipping platform for SEND children were all being built.
It was wonderful to see the hugely positive impact that Brickmakers Wood has on the local community and the individuals that attend. I thoroughly enjoyed our wander through the woods and can truly see how this is a safe and inclusive space.
We also discussed the new Sheshed that has been open for three months now and the hugely positive impact that this has had on ladies in the community.
Brickmakers Wood are always open to donations to support the fantastic work that they do.
I look forward to attending the grand opening of the new area that is being developed, next year.