Jack Abbott
MP for Ipswich
Labour (Co-op)
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
For young people in Ipswich, there is no shortage of ambition, just a need for greater opportunities. That is why last autumn I was proud to sign an agreement with Sizewell C to guarantee 500 jobs for people in my town, alongside additional investment for Suffolk New college’s courses on welding, engineering and fabrication, so that kids in my town can access the well-paid, secure, skilled jobs on offer. May I therefore urge the Prime Minister to support a final investment decision for Sizewell C, not just for our country’s energy security, but for the once-in-a-generation opportunities for young people in Ipswich and Suffolk?
Context
A local Labour MP has secured job guarantees and training investments for young people in Ipswich through a partnership with Sizewell C, emphasizing the importance of energy security and economic opportunities.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
It is good to see a local Labour MP fighting for jobs in his constituency and achieving excellent results. We will make our final investment decision at the spending review. It is something that the Conservatives failed to deliver in 14 years. We are unashamedly pro-nuclear, pro-growth and pro-jobs. That is why we are making it easier to build small modular reactors and scrapping absurd rules that left vital projects tangled up in needless paperwork. We are doing the work that they failed to do in 14 years.
Assessment
The Prime Minister did not commit to a specific decision timeline but emphasized his government's pro-nuclear stance and progress made so far.
Scrapping Absurd Rules
Making It Easier For Small Modular Reactors
Session: PMQs
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Can the Prime Minister set out steps to revive town centres like Ipswich's?
Context
Despite positives in Ipswich, the town centre is struggling and needs help.
Keir Starmer
We will replace business rates to level the playing field and address regional inequality through local growth plans; vibrant high streets are needed.
Session: PMQs
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Will the Minister outline what the Government are doing to ensure that pupils can access those public services as well as the important digital and AI skills that they desperately need?
Context
Pupils at Northgate high school expressed a need for greater access to public services and digital and AI skills.
James Frith
This Government are boosting digital and AI skills by embedding media literacy across all key stages, including by introducing an AI-inclusive computing GCSE and a £20 million early careers jobs alliance. We will ensure that digital inclusion is fundamental as the Government work to develop digital access to public services through digital ID. These measures will support children and all people to access public services when they need them; they will be personalised, joined up and involve less faff.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-07-01
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The Minister should make a powerful statement today that this terrible practice will end under the Labour Government. Suffolk Pride's fringe festival starts next month with Pride Blooms.
Context
Suffolk Pride's fringe festival starts next month.
Olivia Bailey
The Minister confirms that conversion practices are dangerous, discredited and abusive. A commitment is made to ban them under the Labour Government with draft legislation published as soon as possible.
Session: Conversion Practices
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Over the last 18 months I have been working hard to drive investment into my town, county and region, and I was proud to unveil the east of England’s £4 billion investment prospectus at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum earlier this year. I am also keen to encourage our own home-grown entrepreneurs in Ipswich and Suffolk so that we can better support innovative and high-growth businesses. Can the Minister outline how the three-year stamp duty exemption on shares, alongside other measures in the Budget, will seek to do that?
Context
The MP is working to drive investment into Ipswich and Suffolk, unveiling the east of England’s £4 billion investment prospectus at the UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum.
Lucy Rigby (The Economic Secretary to the Treasury)
At the Budget, we introduced the UK listing relief, which incentivises companies to list in the UK. The UK raised more equity capital in 2024 than was raised in the next three European exchanges combined. I look forward to seeing the brilliant entrepreneurs in my hon. Friend’s constituency benefit from these deep pools of capital.
Session: Support for Entrepreneurs
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In a recent report, the Victims Commissioner said that she feared that the delay in victims getting justice “will drive some victims to give up on seeking justice altogether—a second injustice compounding the first.” This is completely unacceptable, and at Ipswich Crown court the backlog of open cases has more than doubled since 2016. What are Ministers doing to reverse the harm inflicted by the Conservatives not only on the justice system itself but on victims’ confidence that justice will be served at all?
Context
A recent report by the Victims Commissioner warned that victims may give up on seeking justice due to delay, with a backlog in Ipswich Crown court doubling since 2016.
Sarah Sackman
My hon. Friend is right that we are seeing an increase in the number of victims pulling out of the process because they no longer have confidence in it because it is taking so long. We have funded an additional 4,000 sitting days this year and have asked Sir Brian Leveson to recommend once-in-a-generation reform precisely so that we can deliver swifter justice for victims.
Session: Topical Questions
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Hundreds of small businesses are opening up across Ipswich. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that young people in towns like Ipswich have the chance to find skilled, long-term, well-paid employment with SMEs?
Context
The question is prompted by the growth of SMEs in Ipswich and the ambition to further boost local employment through skilled jobs.
Georgia Gould (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)
We are streamlining how we measure social and economic value so that there is a very clear ask linked to our missions, including the opportunity mission. We are asking those who win Government contracts to advertise in local jobcentres to benefit young people looking for employment.
Session: Public Procurement Support for SMEs
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When I met the Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom, General Zaluzhnyi, last month he raised the importance of ensuring that Ukrainian children and young people who have been forced to flee this terrible conflict in their own country receive the support and education that they need, so that they can be the generation that rebuilds Ukraine. What conversations has the Foreign Secretary had with the Ukrainian Government and his ministerial colleagues to ensure that that happens?
Context
The importance of supporting Ukrainian children and young people who have fled the conflict.
David Lammy
My hon. Friend raises a very important issue. A few months ago, I met Ukrainian children who had been taken to Russia and who had fortunately been brought back to Ukraine by a non-governmental organisation that we were supporting.
Session: Topical Questions
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In 2021, the previous Health Secretary said regarding covid-19 contracts that 'where a contract is not delivered against, we do not intend to pay taxpayers' money'. Judging from the figures that highlight the enormous scale of covid-19-related fraud, that was little more than a promise made and a promise broken by the previous Government. I am pleased that our Government have made it a priority to recoup as much of that money as possible from scammers who profited at taxpayers' expense. However, four and a half years on from the first lockdown, my constituents in Ipswich, many of whom sacrificed so much during the pandemic, will be wondering why it has taken this long, and a change of Government, to take the issue as seriously as it deserves. Can the Solicitor General tell the House whether that is down to the previous Government's incompetence or lack of effort, or whether it is symptomatic of their more general recklessness?
Context
The question is prompted by the previous Health Secretary's statement about not paying taxpayers' money for undelivered contracts, contrasted with current figures showing significant fraud. It highlights a delay in addressing this issue seriously.
Sarah Sackman
My hon. Friend raises an important point. In contrast to the previous Government, this Government are taking action on covid-related fraud. We have heard from the Chancellor that she will be appointing a covid corruption commissioner, who will review and assess all the PPE contracts that were entered into before any are written off.
Session: Covid-19 Fraud
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What discussions she has had with the Crown Prosecution Service on ensuring the effective prosecution of covid-19 related fraud?
Context
The question arises from discussions about the effective prosecution of covid-19 related fraud, an issue that has been ongoing since the start of the pandemic.
Sarah Sackman
The Government are doing everything possible to recover millions in public funds lost to covid-19-related fraud. The Crown Prosecution Service is working closely with investigators to pursue all those who dishonestly lined their pockets with Government money.
Session: Covid-19 Fraud
View All Questions -->
Earlier this year, it was reported that over 1,000 cases at Ipswich Crown court are outstanding, taking an average of 249 days to be dealt with, with 144 cases unresolved for two years or more. What can the Minister do to reassure my constituents about clearing the backlog left by the previous Government?
Context
Over 1,000 cases at Ipswich Crown Court are outstanding, with an average delay of 249 days and 144 unresolved for two years or more.
Heidi Alexander
The Government are committed to reducing Crown court caseloads. To relieve pressure at Ipswich, cases are being sent to Cambridge and nationally, sitting days have increased to 106,500 from what was agreed by the previous Lord Chancellor.
Session: Topical Questions
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It was a former Prisons Minister who identified that short custodial sentences have a higher reoffending rate than sentences served outside prison. Does the Minister agree that we need to look at using technology to curtail offenders' freedoms outside prison and ensure that we cut the cycle of crime?
Context
The MP is concerned about the effectiveness of short custodial sentences and suggests using technology to manage offenders outside prison.
Nicholas Dakin
Yes. Electronic monitoring is already an important part of safely managing offenders in the community, and one of the principles of the sentencing review is to look at the punishment that offenders receive outside prison, considering how we can best use electronic monitoring and other technologies to safely manage offenders outside the prison walls.
Session: Reducing Reoffending
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I agree with the hon. Member for Mid Bedfordshire (Blake Stephenson). Despite the previous Government's promises to reform funding settlements, as usual they failed to deliver. Does the Secretary of State agree that we must review the current situation, reform the police funding formula and finally deliver fairer funding for local people?
Context
The MP criticised the previous government for failing to deliver promised reforms on police funding and asked if there is a commitment now.
Diana R. Johnson
As part of the spending review, we want to consider police funding in the round, including how police funding is allocated to forces. The sector, including the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and the National Police Chiefs' Council, is engaged in the process.
Session: Topical Questions
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Record rates of retail crime and shoplifting are blighting our high streets, including in Ipswich, where too often such instances act as a flashpoint for completely unacceptable levels of violence, threats and abuse directed towards retail workers. I very much welcome the Government's commitment to ending the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, and the introduction of a stand-alone offence that will give shop workers the protection they need. Will the Minister join me in Ipswich to meet local retail staff, so that she can hear about their experiences and the vital difference that these steps will make?
Context
The question follows the government's commitment to ending the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters and introducing a stand-alone offence.
Seema Malhotra
I commend my hon. Friend for raising this issue. It is true that the steps we are taking owe much to the work of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, the Co-op, the British Retail Consortium and the Association of Convenience Stores. Everyone has a right to feel safe at work, but the March statistics show a 30% increase in shoplifting offences, many of which are violent, over 12 months. We welcome the operational commitments made by the police in the retail crime action plan. I know that the Minister of State, Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham (Dame Diana Johnson) has heard my hon. Friend's request and that she will be happy to visit Ipswich with him.
Session: Retail Crime
View All Questions -->
Record rates of retail crime and shoplifting are blighting our high streets, including in Ipswich, where too often such instances act as a flashpoint for completely unacceptable levels of violence, threats and abuse directed towards retail workers. I very much welcome the Government's commitment to ending the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, and the introduction of a stand-alone offence that will give shop workers the protection they need. Will the Minister join me in Ipswich to meet local retail staff, so that she can hear about their experiences and the vital difference that these steps will make?
Context
High levels of retail crime and violence against workers in Ipswich, with a reported 30% increase in shoplifting offences over the past year.
Seema Malhotra
I commend my hon. Friend for raising this issue. It is true that the steps we are taking owe much to the work of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, the Co-op, the British Retail Consortium and the Association of Convenience Stores. Everyone has a right to feel safe at work, but the March statistics show a 30% increase in shoplifting offences, many of which are violent, over 12 months. We welcome the operational commitments made by the police in the retail crime action plan. I know that the Minister of State, Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham (Dame Diana Johnson) has heard my hon. Friend's request and that she will be happy to visit Ipswich with him.
Session: Retail Crime
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Endometriosis Services — [Peter Dowd in the Chair]
24 March 2026
Responding: Sharon Hodgson
Main Concerns
["Jack Abbott highlighted that endometriosis affects one in ten women, approximately 1.5 million people in the UK. He pointed out that there is no specialist endometriosis clinic at Ipswich Hospital, forcing women to travel for care despite chronic pain and long wait times. The speaker shared Monica Thomas's experience of waiting 17 years for a diagnosis and now facing additional thoracic issues. Abbott also noted that women often face dismissive attitudes from healthcare providers, with an average nine-year delay from symptom onset to diagnosis."]
Specific Asks
['Abbott urged the Government to ensure equitable access to specialist endometriosis services locally, so that digital access through NHS Online is not the only option. He called for a comprehensive approach including face-to-face consultations and local provision of specialists.']
Pandemics: Support for People with Autism
02 December 2025
Responding: Dr Zubir Ahmed
Main Concerns
['Jack Abbott highlighted the case of his constituent Ivan Ambrose, a 41-year-old man with autism and severe mental health problems who became housebound due to confusion and distress caused by constant changes in pandemic-related rules. He noted that information was not delivered in an autism-friendly way, leaving individuals like Ivan overwhelmed and debilitated.']
Specific Asks
['Abbott called for state support rather than relying solely on charities during pandemics and emphasised the need for clearer communication to help people with autism navigate such challenging times.']
Local Government Reorganisation
07 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Business Rates 2026-01-27
27 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government is taking steps to protect high street businesses from upward-only rent review clauses, introducing a strong new community right to buy to safeguard valued community assets. They are al...
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill 2026-01-27
27 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Commonhold and Leasehold Reform 2026-01-27
27 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Police Reform White Paper 2026-01-26
26 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Right to Trial by Jury 2025-11-27
27 November 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm the Government's plans to restrict the right to trial by jury in almost all cases? The urgency stems from recent reports suggesting changes that could undermine centuries of ...
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2025-09-02
02 September 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Crime and Policing Bill 2025-06-17
17 June 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Spending Review 2025 2025-06-11
11 June 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
As Chancellor, the speaker's main focus is to improve working people's lives and rebuild schools and hospitals. She highlights the previous government’s £22 billion black hole in public finances and e...
Battery Energy Storage Sites Safety Regulations 2025-06-05
05 June 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
I beg to move, that this House recognises the unique challenges posed by lithium-ion fires in battery energy storage sites; and calls on the Government to bring forward enforceable national regulation...
Attendance
87.8%
86 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
29
29.6% of votes
No Votes
57
58.2% of votes
Abstentions
12
12.2% of votes
11 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
2
PMQs Asked
13
Ministerial Questions Asked
11
House of Commons Debates Involved
2
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
98
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-45% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-3% below average
This MP:
13
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-20% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+126% above average
This MP:
11
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
+27% above average
This MP:
87.8
Average:
69.2
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Jack Abbott's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.