June 2026

I hope you enjoyed the sun whilst it lasted! As we head into the summer months, I wanted to share a quick update on the work I’ve been doing on behalf of my constituents over the past few weeks. It’s been another really busy month both here in Suffolk Coastal and in Westminster, with a full mix of constituency work, local meetings and parliamentary business.

A lot of my focus continues to be on the issues that come up time and again locally - from rural transport and roads, to SEND provision, local services, and the pressures many families and businesses are still feeling. Alongside that, I’ve been continuing to work on longer-term challenges for our area, including infrastructure planning and coordination and rural affairs in Suffolk Coastal to name a few.

We’ve also seen a significant change locally following the recent elections, with Suffolk County Council now under Reform control. That marks a shift in the local political landscape, and I will continue to work constructively where I can, whilst always standing up for the priorities of residents here in Suffolk Coastal.

There’s plenty more in the rest of the newsletter on all of this and the wider work I’ve been doing across Suffolk Coastal and in Westminster.

Jenny

New Energy Webpage

Unsurprisingly, at almost every coffee morning, surgery and constituency visit, I am asked about the work I’m doing on energy projects in Suffolk Coastal.   

I’ve just launched a new section on my website setting out my work on energy projects and the challenges we are facing here in Suffolk Coastal. 

You can view it here: https://www.jennyforsuffolkcoastal.org/energy 

This page brings together the key work I’ve been doing in Parliament and locally on energy infrastructure.  Constituents in Felixstowe or even Woodbridge may not see that in Suffolk Coastal, we are at the centre of the UK’s energy ambitions. That is a huge national responsibility, but it also comes with very real local impacts. Too often, these projects are planned in isolation, with no proper coordination between developers, meaning communities are left dealing with the combined effect of multiple large-scale schemes in the same small area. 

On the new page, you can see: 

• The work I’ve been doing in Parliament to push for better coordination of energy infrastructure  

• Campaigns calling for stronger oversight of how major projects are planned and delivered  

• My arguments for a more strategic, joined-up approach that considers the cumulative impact on communities, landscapes and local services  

• Updates from debates, reports and amendments I’ve put forward on these issues  

• I’ve also set out why I believe we need a fairer approach that ensures communities hosting this infrastructure are properly heard, properly considered, and properly supported. 

This is an issue that continues to be a large part of my work and an issue I will continue to push hard on, both locally and in Westminster, because getting this right matters for Suffolk Coastal and for the country’s long-term future. 

If you would like to take a look, or follow the wider work I’m doing, the page is now live -https://www.jennyforsuffolkcoastal.org/energy 

My Five steps to deliver Suffolk’s SEND improvements

Over the past two years, I have been campaigning hard to improve SEND services here in Suffolk, working with families, carers, schools and local organisations who know just how impossible the system has become. 

With a new Reform administration now in charge at Suffolk County Council, they have responsibility for delivering education and SEND provision in Suffolk – and I have concerns that they may not prioritise it, whilst they are distracted by other ‘priorities’. This poses a significant risk that many vulnerable young people and their families will not receive the education and support that they need and deserve.  

That is why I have written directly to the new Reform Cabinet Member for SEND, Councillor Tony Gould, setting out a clear plan that they can work from with my ‘five steps to deliver Suffolk’s SEND improvements’: 

1. Provide real leadership and a clear commitment to improving SEND services. 

2. Overhaul the Council’s relationship with families, with better communication and a system that listens. 

3. Set out firm timelines and next steps for the new SEND schools in Saxmundham and Bury St Edmunds. 

4. Make Suffolk a pioneer in delivering rural SEND spaces and specialist SEND units on existing school sites. 

5. Commit to regular engagement with local MPs and stakeholders on complex SEND cases affecting local families. 

I am asking residents to join me in calling on Suffolk County Council to commit to these five steps and to make improving SEND services a central priority. 

You can add your voice to my campaign and call on the Council to act at https://getcampaigning.co.uk/suffolk-coastal/c/sendfivesteps 

You can read my letter in full and find out about my other work on SEND at: www.jennyforsuffolkcoastal.org/send 

Together, we have already made progress — and with your help I will keep pushing until families in Suffolk Coastal get the support, provision and respect they deserve. 

Felixstowe Banking Hub

I’m pleased to share that at 00:01 on 6th May, I submitted a renewed application for a Banking Hub in Felixstowe. 

Since the last banks closed in the town, I have heard from so many residents and businesses who feel they have been left without the services they need. Post Offices and ATMs play an important role, but they were never designed to replace full in-person banking services — particularly for older residents, disabled people and local businesses handling cash. 

As part of the renewed application, I submitted evidence gathered from residents, businesses and community groups across Felixstowe. The survey results were clear: 90% of respondents told me that banking and access to cash have become harder since the banks shut, and 65% said that Post Offices do not meet their needs. 

We are expecting a response to the application by the end of the summer, and I will keep residents updated as soon as we hear more.  

My petition on this is still live and has continued to grow, and as of this week more than 1,000 people have signed in support of a Banking Hub for Felixstowe. I will be submitting the petition in Parliament towards the end of the month, to make sure the strength of local feeling is heard loud and clear. 

There is still time to sign the petition if you haven’t already- you can do so here- getcampaigning.co.uk/suffolk-coastal/c/felixstowebankinghub   

Thank you to everyone who has signed the petition, completed the survey, shared their experiences or helped build the case. Together, we have shown just how important this is for Felixstowe — and I will keep fighting for the banking services our town deserves. 

Campaigning for better rail services

I have been continuing my campaign for better rail services across Suffolk Coastal, particularly on the East Suffolk Line (from Lowestoft to Ipswich), where residents have repeatedly raised concerns about frequency, and the need for earlier morning and later evening services. 

In April, I hosted a roundtable bringing together Greater Anglia, Network Rail and local authorities to discuss how we can improve services and make sure our communities benefit from better rail links. I will also be hosting a further roundtable in July to keep up the pressure and continue working through the practical barriers to improvement. 

One of the key frustrations I have been raising is regarding a new evening service which is running between Lowestoft and Beccles but isn’t serving the communities in Suffolk Coastal. I have been told this is because Sizewell C construction has booked evening and overnight freight slots to move construction materials by rail. 

Getting freight off our roads is important, and I absolutely support efforts to reduce HGV movements through our towns and villages. But I am concerned that this is now stopping local residents and visitors from getting the benefits of a new evening passenger service.  

I have spoken at length with Sizewell C, Network Rail, Greater Anglia and local partners about this, and I also raised the issue with the Rail Minister, Lord Hendy. Following our meeting, he has now written to me confirming that he shares my concerns and has asked Sizewell C, Greater Anglia and Network Rail to look again at whether the pattern of freight services can be flexed to improve the passenger timetable. 

If that cannot be done, then I’ll be pushing Sizewell C to look at other ways to support local communities with transport. That includes the possibility of an evening bus route, funded by Sizewell C. 

I will keep pushing for practical improvements, continue working with local partners, and use the July roundtable to press for clear answers and better services for communities across Suffolk Coastal.

Constituency Coffee Mornings

Once a month, I host a community coffee morning in a village in Suffolk Coastal and have done for the last 18 months to reach all corners of our long and beautiful constituency.  

This month I was in Blythburgh with residents of both Blythburgh and Walberswick where we discussed the topic of the day – the local election results and subsequent leadership discussions. But we didn't just talk about that, we spent a lot of time talking about road safety, speeding, the A12, the roads around Blythburgh and Walberswick, and the energy infrastructure projects too.  

These coffee mornings are a brilliant way to hear what matters to each community I represent and also gives me the chance to share the work I am doing for constituents – directly with them.  

My next coffee morning is in Eyke with many more planned throughout the rest of the year.  

Suffolk Show

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting lots of local businesses, farmers and constituents at the Suffolk Show held at a very sunny Trinity Park. 

I was through the gates bright and early at 7am to attend the CLA breakfast, where I spoke about the work of the Labour Rural Research Group and the importance of making sure rural voices are properly heard in national policymaking.  

That was followed by a really valuable roundtable discussion on water resilience in farming - an issue that matters hugely for Suffolk and one I have been working on with partners since being elected in 2024. As we see more extreme weather, longer dry spells and increasing pressure on resources, ensuring that farming and local industries have sustainable, resilient water supplies is becoming ever more important. 

The rest of the day was packed with meetings, conversations and catch-ups with so many of the people and organisations who do so much for our region. From farmers and agricultural suppliers to conservation groups, charities, local businesses and industry partners, the Suffolk Show brings together the very best of Suffolk in one place. 

Agriculture remains at the heart of our local economy and identity, and events like the Suffolk Show are a reminder not only of the challenges facing the sector, but also of the innovation, resilience and pride that exists across our rural communities. 

It was also fantastic to see so many local businesses showcasing what Suffolk has to offer. Supporting local enterprise, food producers, tourism and rural jobs is incredibly important to the long-term success of our area. 

Above all, the Suffolk Show is about community. A huge amount of work goes into making the event happen each year, and it’s always wonderful to see so many people coming together to celebrate Suffolk’s rural heritage, businesses, charities and communities. 

Busy, nostalgic and thoroughly enjoyable - a brilliant day from start to finish. 

Pride in Place

There has been some really exciting progress recently on Felixstowe’s Pride in Place programme - the £20 million, 10-year investment designed to support community-led projects, improvements and opportunities in Felixstowe West. 

I’m absolutely delighted that Shez Hopkins has been appointed as Chair of the Pride in Place Board. Through her leadership of Level Two Youth Project, Shez has already made an enormous difference to the lives of young people and families in Felixstowe, and she brings real passion, experience and commitment to the role. 

What makes Pride in Place different is that it is designed to be community-led from the very beginning. This is not about decisions being made elsewhere and imposed on the town. It is about local people shaping the future of their own community and identifying the projects, priorities and investments that will make the biggest difference. 

Over the past few weeks, we invited expressions of interest from residents, businesses and community organisations who wanted to help guide the programme as part of the Board. I’m really pleased by the level of interest and engagement we’ve already seen from across Felixstowe West. 

Applications for the Board have now closed, and interviews will be taking place shortly as we move towards fully appointing the Board and getting the programme properly underway. 

This is a huge opportunity for Felixstowe West over the next decade - not only to invest in physical improvements, but to support local people, strengthen community organisations, create opportunities for young people and help unlock the full potential of the area. 

I know there is a huge amount of pride in our town already, and I’m really looking forward to seeing local ideas and community leadership at the heart of this programme as it develops. 

You can still find out more about the Pride in Place programme here: https://www.jennyforsuffolkcoastal.org/prideinplace

Rock Barracks

It was a real privilege recently to spend the afternoon at Rock Barracks in Woodbridge, home to 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment, part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, alongside 28 Engineer Regiment and 70 Gurkha Parachute Squadron. 

The visit was an opportunity to learn more about the work being carried out by the troops stationed there, tour parts of the barracks and hear directly from serving personnel about the challenges and responsibilities of military life. 

One particularly special moment for me was having the opportunity to light a candle in the Gurkha temple. It was a very moving experience and a reminder of the proud history, service and traditions that are such an important part of the armed forces community. 

The military was also a significant part of my own life growing up, having spent time in the Territorial Army in my teens and early twenties. Because of that, I know firsthand the sense of commitment, discipline and sacrifice that service life demands - not only from those serving, but from their families too. 

During the visit, I was especially keen to spend time speaking with partners and families, who so often carry the quieter and less visible pressures that come alongside military life. Whether through long deployments, uncertainty, frequent moves or the day-to-day realities of service life, military families provide an enormous amount of support behind the scenes. 

We are incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated service personnel and military families living and working in our area, and I want to thank everyone at Rock Barracks for the warm welcome and for all they do in service to our country. 

Natural England

I recently met with the Eastern team from Natural England at one of their sites in Walberswick to hear more about their new nature growth strategy and how it will shape work across Suffolk Coastal. 

Their plan sets out an ambition to better integrate nature into planning, development and land management, with a focus on nature recovery, healthier places, climate resilience and water security – an ambition I share.  

We discussed how this links to work already happening locally, including the long-term environmental planning around Sizewell C, and the importance of ensuring major infrastructure is properly balanced with environmental protections and long-term benefits. 

We also spoke about some of the key issues affecting our area, including flooding and water resilience, as well as concerns around land management and agricultural run-off, and the impact these can have on water quality and local communities. 

What came through clearly is the need to join up environmental work with the realities facing people on the ground - from homes and businesses affected by flooding to the wider pressures on our local environment. 

I appreciated the opportunity to discuss these issues and how they can be better addressed in a way that supports both nature and the communities who depend on it.

Surgeries

I hold regular advice surgeries at locations across the constituency.

If you’d like to speak with me directly about an issue or concern, you can request a surgery here: https://www.jennyforsuffolkcoastal.org/request-a-surgery

Surgeries are by appointment in 20 minute slots. Appointments are often in high demand, and I will always prioritise urgent cases first.

These sessions are a chance for me to hear from you and help wherever I can - whether it’s a local matter, a policy concern, or something more personal.