May 2026

Welcome to my May Newsletter – April was a busy and productive month here in Suffolk Coastal as well as down in Westminster with lots of activity on all fronts.

One of the most significant events this month was a SEND conference I hosted at Alde Valley Academy, bringing together families, carers and professionals from across Suffolk Coastal. I was pleased to welcome Georgia Gould OBE MP – Minister for School Standards and SEND – who spoke about the Government’s SEND reforms and, crucially, took questions directly from those in the room – staying behind afterwards to speak to each participant. Hearing first-hand from local families made for a really powerful discussion and I’ll be continuing to press for the changes needed to make the system work better for everyone including running my own consultation which you can hear more about later in this newsletter.

In Parliament, I also raised concerns about rising fertiliser costs with the Prime Minister during Prime Minister’s Question Time. This is a serious issue for many farmers locally, with knock-on effects for food production and prices. Strengthening domestic supply and making sure farmers are properly supported has to be part of the solution, and it’s something I’ll keep pushing on.

I’ve also – just this week launched a campaign in Woodbridge to tackle anti-social behaviour linked to motorcycles and other vehicles. Residents have told me – and I’ve seen first hand – ongoing problems with noise, speeding and disruption, particularly in the evenings. I’m working with local partners on this, but gathering evidence from residents is key to securing further action – so I’d encourage anyone affected to come forward and share their experiences.

As always, there’s more detail on these and other issues in the rest of this newsletter. If there’s something you’d like to raise with me, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I hope you’ve been able to enjoy some of the brighter weather recently, and that the weeks ahead bring a bit more sunshine.

Jenny

SEND Conference

Earlier this month, I hosted a SEND conference at Alde Valley Academy in Leiston, bringing together families, carers, professionals and young people from across Suffolk Coastal to discuss how we improve support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

The conference focused on three core areas: support in the early years, the Government’s SEND reforms and White Paper, and the transition into adulthood for young people with additional needs. Across each of these themes, families and carers shared their lived experiences of navigating the system, alongside their priorities for improvement.

A key part of the event was the opportunity for direct engagement with Georgia Gould OBE MP – Minister for Schools Standards and with responsibility for SEND – who set out the Government’s reform programme and responded to questions from the audience as well as staying behind to speak to each person who attended. The discussions covered a wide range of issues, including access to assessments, consistency of support across schools, and the availability of specialist provision locally.

The conference also featured a number of organisations and charities working directly with families and young people, offering practical advice and support. Among them was 21younghearts, which highlighted the value of supported training and work experience in helping young people build confidence and skills for the future.

Overall, the event provided an important opportunity to bring together families, practitioners and decision-makers in one place, and to better understand both the pressures in the system and the areas where progress is being made.

A huge thank you to Alde Valley for hosting us and Minister Gould for dedicating her afternoon to attending.

Energy

There are early signs that the Government might be preparing new legislation on energy resilience, focused on strengthening the UK’s energy security in an increasingly uncertain world. Securing our energy resilience is important – and the spiralling energy costs in recent months act as a keen reminder as to why.

For areas like ours, where energy infrastructure already plays a significant role, it’s important this is done in a way that works for local communities as well as the country as a whole. I know just how strongly people feel about the scale and impact of local energy development – and how we need to get it right for Suffolk Coastal. If this new legislation is taken forward in the next parliamentary session, I’ll be working closely with our community, colleagues, national stakeholders and engaging from the “get-go” to make sure that future policy is shaped by the experiences and insights of Suffolk Coastal.

Prime Minister's Questions - Rising Fertiliser Costs

Last week, I raised the rising cost of fertiliser directly with the Prime Minister at PMQs. This has been a fast-growing concern with the pressures the conflict in the Middle East is having on imports.

For farmers in Suffolk Coastal and across the country, fertiliser is one of the major costs involved in producing the food we all rely on. When those costs rise, it puts pressure on farm businesses, weakens our food security, and risks higher prices reaching families at the supermarket.

The UK’s last ammonia plant closed in 2023 which has left Britain more reliant on volatile imports for a product that is essential to food production. I asked what the Government is doing to support farmers and whether all options are on the table to bring down costs, including securing British-made ammonia again.

In response, the Prime Minister pointed to work being taken forward on fertiliser and red diesel, including action with the Competition and Markets Authority, changes to fertiliser regulations to diversify supply, and steps to protect carbon dioxide supplies.

This is not just about one question at PMQs. It is part of my wider work to stand up for British farmers, strengthen our food security, and make sure rural communities like ours are not left exposed to volatile global supply chains.

Campaigning for clearer food labelling

I have been campaigning for clearer, more honest food labelling so shoppers can understand exactly what they are buying — and so British farmers get the fair deal they deserve.

As part of this campaign, I have been speaking to people on the streets of Woodbridge and asking residents to test their knowledge through an online quiz. What has become clear is that most people do not know what many food labels actually mean. That is not because shoppers do not care — it is because the system is not clear enough.

People should not need to decode complicated symbols just to understand whether the food they are buying is British, where it was produced, or whether it meets the standards they expect.

This matters for consumers, but it also matters for our farmers and food producers. Here in Suffolk Coastal, we are proud of our rural economy and the high-quality food produced locally. Clearer labelling would help give British farmers a fairer deal and ensure shoppers can support them with confidence.

I’m calling for a simple, colour-coded animal welfare label, so shoppers can see at a glance the conditions animals were raised in and how they were treated. Alongside this, I’m campaigning for better labelling to show whether food was grown, raised or made in Britain — and what proportion of its ingredients are British.

This is about levelling the playing field. British farmers should not be disadvantaged by confusing labels, unfair supermarket practices or imported food produced to lower standards. Shoppers deserve clear information, and farmers deserve a fair deal.

You can test your own knowledge of food labelling here: https://getcampaigning.co.uk/lrrg/s/labelling

Housing Association's Stock Levels

In villages and market towns across Suffolk Coastal — including Orford, Aldeburgh and Southwold — one of the biggest housing challenges is that social housing providers can sell off existing homes without replacing them locally. That means fewer genuinely affordable homes for local families and older residents who want to stay in the communities they call home.

After hearing worrying reports from constituents about the sale of affordable housing in communities across Suffolk Coastal, I have been working to shine a light on this issue and push for action.

As I mentioned in my March newsletter, in my role as Chair of the Labour Rural Research Group (LRRG), I recently published a report on Rural Poverty in Britain. Two of its key recommendations called on the Government to address the practice of social housing providers selling off rural housing stock, and to expand the use of Rural Exception Sites, which can help secure affordable homes on the edge of smaller towns and villages.

In Parliament I pressed the Ministry of Housing on how it will expand the use of Rural Exception Sites. Housing Minister, Matthew Pennycook confirmed that the Government is looking at strengthening support for Rural Exception Sites and making it easier for councils to require affordable housing on smaller rural sites. He also agreed to meet with me and colleagues to discuss how we can better protect existing rural housing stock.

I will keep pushing to make sure Suffolk Coastal gets the affordable homes our communities need — and that existing social housing is not lost without proper local replacement.

EFRA Select Committee - Holding water companies to account

This month I have used my role on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee to press South East Water over serious failures in its service and its responsibility to customers.

The Committee heard evidence from South East Water’s Chief Executive and Chair as part of our ongoing inquiry into reforming the water sector. I challenged the company on trust, transparency and accountability, particularly after it sought an injunction against Ofwat’s investigation and report. I made clear that trying to delay criticism from being made public does nothing to rebuild trust with customers.

I also pressed the company on whether its leadership truly understands the scale of the problem. South East Water has faced serious questions over supply interruptions, historic failings, compliance issues and poor communication with customers. In the session, I challenged the company on why compliance had been such a problem.

This matters for Suffolk Coastal because residents here know how important reliable, accountable water services are — whether that is drinking water, sewage, river quality, or the health of our coast and environment. Water companies must not be allowed to hide behind process when customers are being let down.

I will keep using my place on the EFRA Committee to push for stronger accountability across the water sector, tougher scrutiny of failing companies, and a system that puts customers and the environment first.

Felixstowe Banking Hub

You may have seen my campaign to restore banking services in Felixstowe, following the loss of it’s final two banks last summer.

Right now, residents and businesses are being left to rely on Post Offices and a limited number of ATMs – which were never designed to replace full bank branches. For many, especially older and disabled residents, travelling to Ipswich simply isn’t a realistic option, and local businesses are also feeling the strain.

That’s why I’m calling for a dedicated Banking Hub in Felixstowe, giving people access to essential in-person services in one place.

To strengthen the case, I’ve also launched a short survey - https://getcampaigning.co.uk/suffolk-coastal/s/bankinghubsurvey - to better understand how people are currently using Post Office services and where the gaps are. I’d really encourage you to take a few minutes to complete it – your feedback will directly inform the next stage of this campaign, including a further submission in early May.

More than 700 people have already signed the petition. If you haven’t yet, please do add your name and help build the case for action - https://getcampaigning.co.uk/suffolk-coastal/c/felixstowebankinghub

‘Boy Racers’

I have launched a campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour linked to motorcycles, cars and other vehicles in Woodbridge.

Several residents have told me about their concerns regarding so-called “boy racers” speeding in laps around the town, carrying out dangerous manoeuvres, and causing disruption late into the evening. This is not just a noise issue — many people are rightly worried that, unless action is taken, someone could be seriously hurt.

As part of this campaign, I have been in contact with Suffolk Police and other local partners to raise residents’ concerns and ask what action can be taken. I am also asking local residents to complete a survey, so we can build a clearer picture of what the specific issues are, where and when incidents are happening and what people would like to happen in response.

The more people who share their experiences, the stronger the case we can make for proper action.

If you have been affected by dangerous driving, excessive noise, repeated speeding, or other anti-social vehicle use in Woodbridge, please complete the survey found here: https://www.jennyforsuffolkcoastal.org/boyracers

Campaigning for better rail services

Improving rail services across Suffolk Coastal is a real priority for me, and I’ve been continuing to speak with residents, commuters and local businesses to understand their experiences and strengthen the case for change.

It won’t surprise you to hear that I regularly hear about the challenges people face – from unreliable services, to timetables that don’t reflect modern working patterns, and connections that simply don’t go far enough to support our local economy. This survey is about turning those lived experiences into clear, evidence we can use to push for improvements.

I’m particularly keen to hear your views on key priorities such as earlier morning and later evening services, a consistent half-hourly timetable on the Ipswich–Lowestoft line, and restoring a direct link between Lowestoft and London.

With major projects like Sizewell C on the horizon, I know there are real concerns about the pressure this will place on our roads. Stronger rail links will be essential – not just to ease congestion, but to support jobs, our town centres, and more sustainable ways of travelling across our area.

By taking part, you’ll help make sure that local voices are properly heard and reflected in the case for investment. The evidence gathered will directly inform my work locally and in Parliament, as well as my discussions with operators and decision-makers to push for practical, deliverable improvements.

If you live, work or travel in the area, I would really encourage you to take a few minutes to share your views:

https://www.jennyforsuffolkcoastal.org/rail

I will continue to work hard to build momentum for a rail service that properly meets the needs of our communities.

Ending Suffolk Coastal's 'Bus Desert'

Access to reliable bus services continues to be a real concern for many people across Suffolk Coastal – and it’s something I hear about week in, week out from residents.

I’ve had countless conversations with people who have seen routes quietly disappear, or who are dealing with services that are so inconsistent they’re difficult to rely on. For some, this creates very real barriers to getting to work, attending medical appointments, accessing education, or simply staying connected with friends and family.

Good public transport underpins strong, connected communities. Right now, too many parts of our area are being underserved – and that needs to change.

That’s why I’m continuing to gather views through my local bus survey. Whether you use buses regularly, have stopped using them, or feel you can’t rely on them at all, your experience is incredibly important. It helps build a clear picture of where services are falling short and where improvements are most urgently needed.

The feedback I receive will directly shape the work I’m taking forward both locally and in Parliament. It will also feed into a roundtable I’m bringing together later this year, with operators, decision-makers and residents all at the table to press for meaningful change.

If you haven’t already, I’d really encourage you to take a few minutes to share your experience:

https://getcampaigning.co.uk/suffolk-coastal/s/buses

Together, we can keep building the case for the better, more reliable bus services that our communities deserve.

Post 16 Education in Felixstowe

Many parents have been in touch with me since Felixstowe School announced that they would be pausing intake into their Sixth Form from September. They are rightfully concerned about what this means for young people in Felixstowe – particularly those without the means to go out of town for education past 16.

This week, I convened a roundtable in Felixstowe to discuss this issue – bringing together stakeholders from across the town and education providers from further afield to discuss how we can work together to ensure our town’s young people have access to the opportunities they deserve.

We discussed how we got to this point – including local and national trends – as well as plans in the pipeline to make education more accessible through parental support, better transport options and through boosting aspirations of our young people.

Please be assured that this is an issue I’m keenly aware of in Felixstowe and will be pushing for locally and nationally.

Coffee Mornings

Over the last 18 months, I have been hosting coffee mornings in villages up and down the constituency and it’s been fantastic to meet so many local residents and hear directly about the issues that matter to them.

In April, I visited Bawdsey to share with residents of both Bawdsey and Alderton what I’ve been up to in the constituency and in parliament and to hear from them about the issues impacting them most – we discussed transport and roads, rural isolation and of course coastal erosion.

Past coffee mornings have already helped me find solutions for residents on issues such as housing, transport, and anti-social behaviour.

My next coffee morning will be taking place in Blythburgh with lots of others planned throughout the constituency throughout the year.

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.