- This was a Budget about fair choices -

Freezing fuel duty, rail fares and prescription charges.

Cutting energy bills.

Raising wages for the lowest paid workers in Ipswich.

Lifting children out of poverty.

Investing in our NHS.

Supporting small businesses in our town.

Last year, I spoke in Parliament about how ticket touts are ripping off fans, and ripping out the heart of live events.

It is welcome and important that our Government is shutting down this racket to make sure music, comedy, theatre and sport is affordable for everyone.

'It's Ipswich's time isn't it?'

'It's got a lot going for it.'

'It deserves it.'

Grateful for the kind words of David Whiteley and Becky Jago on @itvanglia.bsky.social as we crank up Ipswich's culture bid.

Great to be joined by some of our town's best creatives in Lily Hammond and Amy Wragg too!

Co-operatives have a long and rich history in Ipswich and the East of England.

They are rooted in their communities, keep wealth local, invest for the long-term and give people a genuine stake in their success.

Pride in Place seeks to builds on these values by putting power back into local hands.

'Culture. What culture?'

Well...

Award-winning parks, stunning waterfront, our iconic football club.

New Wolsey Theatre, Danceeast, Red Rose Chain, Eastern Angles.

Ipswich Museum, the Regent, Christchurch Mansion.

Brighten the Corners, SPILL, Ipswich Book Festival, Ipswich Music Day...

I fired the starting gun on Ipswich's culture bid today because I am ambitious for our town.

Speaking to Wayne Bavin on BBC Radio Suffolk, I said this celebration of Ipswich's talent will attract people to our town, who will then spend money in our shops, restaurants and pubs, boosting our economy.

I'm intent on delivering good jobs for Ipswich and Suffolk, and I want our young people to fill them.

That means we must provide the training and skills they need to get there.

From creating new Technical Colleges to reforming apprenticeships, we'll do just that.

#PoliticsLive