Immigration Survey
In June 2016, Ipswich voted overwhelmingly to leave the EU. One of the biggest advantages of leaving the EU is the ability for the UK to control our borders again – I am committed to upholding this.
By contrast, the Labour Party – dominated by the London elite – tried to block Brexit and are now frustrating all attempts to control immigration.
As your MP, I have strongly opposed the use of the Novotel Hotel to house asylum seekers. I led a special debate in Parliament and have raised this issue every week in Parliament since the news broke. I’m appalled at the way in which some of my constituents have been treated by their employer, NOVOTEL. I’m also very worried about the impact this is having on the local economy.
Ipswich has a proud record of welcoming genuine refugees from around the world who are fleeing persecution. The Homes for Ukraine scheme has been a particularly inspirational example of this. We should be proud of being such a welcoming Town, but what’s going on at the Novotel is wrong on many different levels. We need to be tough but fair in distinguishing between those who are genuinely fleeing persecution and those who have chosen a route to illegally enter our country from another safe European country. I am committed to putting a stop to this.
The PM has announced new plans to use cheaper accommodation sites, so we can move migrants out of expensive hotels, saving the taxpayer money. We will identify a range of alternative sites such as disused holiday parks, former student halls and surplus military land, working with local authorities to ensure everyone takes their fair share.
Labour have bitterly opposed everything I’ve been looking to achieve on this issue. Labour’s London based leader has ordered Labour MPs to consistently vote against the Government’s plans to control immigration. Whether that would be through opposing the Rwanda scheme, voting against the Nationality and Borders Act, or defending freedom of movement at all costs throughout his leadership campaign. Even locally, the Labour candidate has never supported any attempt to tackle illegal immigration and instead has made multiple trips to the migrant camp in Calais. It’s clear that Labour don’t want to control immigration.
I have been one of the most vocal MPs in Parliament on the issue of tackling illegal immigration. My record speaks for itself. We cannot go back to a policy of low-wage, low-skilled uncontrolled immigration. That’s why, I would love to hear your views about immigration.
Cladding Interview on BBC Radio Suffolk
Further to my previous post on cladding, I was on BBC Radio Suffolk to discuss the cladding issues we have in Ipswich. Give it a listen.
Freeport East
Great news today that the Freeport East project at Felixstowe and Harwich has gotten final approval from the Government and will be the 4th freeport fully up and running. The approval comes with up to £25 million in seed funding. We’ve been waiting for final approval since Freeport East was on the initial list of 8 proposed freeports over 1 year ago. I’ve been told the project will now be proceeding at full speed and finally Freeport East can move from being an attractive concept to being something that delivers practical benefits to my constituents.
Freeport East will deliver major benefits to the region, including 13,500 new high-skill, high-paying jobs right on Ipswich’s doorstep. Approximately 6,000 Ipswich residents are already employed either directly or indirectly via the Port of Felixstowe, this go-ahead will provide more opportunities for people in our town. It also creates opportunities for skills training through partnerships with Suffolk New College and the University of Suffolk. Suffolk New College in Ipswich has already received £1 million from the Town Deal to boost skills training and will help deliver hydrogen power for the freeport.
The freeport will also develop into a hub for renewable energy production through its planned Green Hydrogen Hub, and will be supported by existing offshore wind and the planned nuclear plant at Sizewell C. The hub will support high-skilled jobs in the renewable energy sector.
This announcement will really put our local area on the map and help us deliver for the national economy, connecting the North and Midlands to global trade. Felixstowe is already the UK’s busiest container port handling almost half total UK container trade and 60% of our trade with Asia. Giving freeport status to Felixstowe and Harwich is projected to boost UK trade by £12 billion a year, and create £5.5 billion in new gross value added over 10 years.
Also pleased to see the Government make clear in this letter their commitment to the East and that levelling up isn’t just about to the midlands and the north.
St Francis Tower
Have had to bring this issue directly to the attention of the relevant Minister.
Not only do many of the residents of St Francis Tower find it very difficult to communicate with Block Management, but now they’ve stopped responding to my emails.
It’s hard to believe that the shrink wrap is still on St Francis Tower. I’ve said time and time again that I frankly find it astonishing that the current situation is even legal. We need new regulations urgently to stipulate more explicitly what’s acceptable and what’s not when it comes to remediation works.
Many of these companies think they can act with impunity. In many senses, they’re right to think so. This needs to change urgently.
Happy Christmas
Grill @twenty5’s Homeless Breakfast 2022
I made my annual visit to the Grill @twenty5’s Homeless Breakfast this morning where food is provided free to those who are homeless or living in temporary accommodation. Since starting in December 2019, co-owner Tina Leamon and her team have hosted impressive events to support those struggling and have wide support from the local community through donations of clothes. During Covid they supplied deliveries and have continued to act as a clothes donation centre also.
This event is always held on the last working day before Christmas each year from 7am-11am but they also provide food throughout the year too. They are given donations from local businesses and had been able to support 20-25 people today alone when I arrived.
Unfortunately, due to the cost of living situation, some people are struggling with their financial situation so it was important to be able to discuss this with representatives from Ipswich Housing Action Group, Ipswich Borough Council and Anglia Care Trust. What is stark is how many of these individuals who are struggling have disabilities and/or learning difficulties. Support for those less able in our communities is vital so I was thankful that I have been able to raise this.
Further to this I was also able to speak about the work local groups are doing to support rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness in Ipswich. These are tough times for people and the work on the Grill @twenty5 is a great example of another community initiative.
Rwanda policy
So the good news this week was that the High Court said the Rwanda policy was lawful. The frustrating news is the first flights still haven’t taken off!
I personally find it unbelievable that one judge connected to the European Convention of Human Rights can, at the eleventh hour, delay the whole thing by about 6 months. This is about how long it’s taken the High Court to stick by its original decision.
Sadly, there are further opportunities for those who are deeply opposed to us controlling our own borders to try and throw further spanners in the wheels.
You will see the question I asked the Home Secretary earlier this week. My frustration is clear and I share it with so many of my constituents.
I really hope the legal changes the PM is planning early next year will address all these issues. Ultimately, it should be for our own sovereign Parliament to pass laws on this, and frankly everything should be on the table in my view.
Part of our approach to tackling illegal immigration must involve the deportation of those who have decided to come here illegally to safe third countries such as Rwanda, if it isn’t safe for them to return to their home country.
The Prime Minister made clear last week that in the new year he will pass laws to make it impossible for those who come here illegally to be able to stay here. This is absolutely critical, and I will continue to push as hard as I can.
Meeting with Social Mobility Minister
Great meeting today with the Social Mobility Minister, Mims Davies, to discuss supporting veterans transition into employment after leaving service.
There’s great work being done in Ipswich by Nigel Seaman and his charity Combat2Coffee, who help veterans who are struggling to transition to civilian life get the skills and opportunities they need. This meeting followed me raising his work in Parliament. He’s been a real champion on this issue, and has been crucial in identifying some of the issues facing veterans transitioning to employment. I’m excited that the Minister said she wants to visit Ipswich and see the amazing work they’re doing.
There are job transition services available to veterans, but uptake of these services is lower than ideal. Many veterans don’t know what support is available, and there can also be some amount of stigma attached. Overall, the transition process isn’t explained well and isn’t properly advertised.
We should be making sure that veteran work coaches are more closely involved in the resettlement process. Their services should be advertised more widely to veterans, and they should be made more accessible with walk-in in-office surgeries for veterans and their families. This could help reduce some of the stigma and anxiety around seeking help, as currently, they can only be seen by appointment. Many veterans also need more time to figure out what job they want to do in civilian life. The Career Transition Partnership for veterans should give them more time.
Children’s Minister visit to Bobby Robson School
Was really pleased to have the Children’s Minister Claire Coutinho at the Sir Bobby Robson school this afternoon. She covers special educational needs as part of her role.
I’ve taken a keen interest in the school since it first opened only a few years so. Adam the head teacher and his team are doing a terrific job. Both myself and the Minister really enjoyed meeting so many of the pupils at the school and understanding more about their experiences.
In total there are now 66 at Sir Bobby. Many previous to being at Sir Bobby didn’t get the support they needed. Now they’re getting it and the progress many of them are making is uplifting.
Over the past few years the Government have increased the money put into special educational needs but the way Suffolk SEND is funded isn’t right. The amount of funding per pupil is lower than many comparable counties and this needs to change. I made this point to the Minister today and will be bringing it up in Parliament again next week.
We have another special school on the way on Woodbridge Road but even with that there is still not enough places at schools such as Sir Bobby. For every place at the school there is significant interest.
