In response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee Report out today on PIP and ESA assessments Stephen Lloyd MP, Liberal Democrat DWP spokesperson, said :

"This is an utterly damning report from the Select Committee on the quality, or lack of, from the government's PIP and ESA assessments programmes.

"It's clear far too many assessments are inadequate for this system to continue in it's current form.

"This also comes on the day where the DWP has put out a deplorable tweet reminding people that as today is Valentines Day, they will be checking that benefits claimants are declaring they live with a partner or else. It's obvious this Conservative government knows the price of everything but the value of nothing.

"This is proof that the Liberal Democrat position of stripping the assessment contract from corporate behemoths such as ATOS and Capita and bringing them in-house as a public service, is the only practical and humane way forward.

This year, as we celebrate the centenary of the first women to secure the right to vote, we look back at some of the women who played an enormous part in achieving that, for the women of Ipswich. During the years leading up to 1918, Ipswich had two Members of Parliament and for some time both of them were Liberals. Daniel Ford Goddard of the gas works had been Liberal MP for twenty-three years, during which time he had shared the responsibility with both Felix Thornley Cobbold and Sylvester Horne. Other notable philanthropists also held seats for the Liberal party on the town council, including William F and Robert S Paul of Paul's Malt and Robert's son in law William T Pretty of the Pretty & Sons corset factory and Footman, Pretty & Co department store. The corset factory is now sadly buried beneath Marks and Spencer's car park but Footman & Pretty's is now better known as Debenhams. The Pauls, Cobbolds and Goddards are well known within Ipswich's history and the legacy of their work is evident all over town.

Work has finally begun on the Cornhill regeneration, a project which has divided the town: some people think it will provide a much-needed cosmetic and financial boost to the town centre, while others have criticised the design and suggested that the money (£3.6 million) would have been better spent elsewhere.

Ipswich Liberal Democrat members Colin Boyd and Conrad Robert-Smith Packwood both went to Westminster for the Hungry For Democracy event. Colin gives his report here:-

"Today was a tough day. Going without food was difficult, but standing in the freezing cold for hours was even worse! Conrad was an absolute trooper. All the other activists were able to walk around to keep warm, and he was sadly confined to his wheelchair, but he didn't complain once. He remained enthusiastic to the cause, holding his placard high for all those who crossed our paths to see (and that was a lot of people)!

Labour, Green Party, UKIP, Lib Dem's, Women's Equality Party, SNP, and Plaid all shared a platform to fight for a parliament that truly represents the people. The only party notably missing was the Tories, and I dare say it shows their utter contempt for the people they serve.

What we did today was a tiny sacrifice compared to what the poor Suffragette's did a century ago, and this really hit home. Their struggles in making the world a better place for all of us is even more admirable now; suffering most of us will thankfully never truly understand.

Today we raised awareness for our cause, but sadly we still have a very long way to go to have a true democracy, and a society where nobody feels oppressed. May the fight go on..."

A consultation is being held with residents regarding the planned merger of Ipswich and Colchester hospitals.

Sessions will run 10am-2pm as follows:

13 Feb Ipswich Corn Exchange

15 Feb Clacton Library

19 Feb Colchester Library

22 Feb Felixstowe Library

The Suffolk EU Alliance have organised a 'Let's Stay Together' March at the University of Suffolk, Ipswich on Saturday 24th March starting at Noon.

Bring your energy & concern for remaining in the EU.

Great speakers, cool food, flags & fun music ... show that you care about being European.

The Suffolk EU Alliance is working with the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party. https://www.suffolkeualliance.co.uk

In response to this article in the Guardian Councillor Inga Lockington said "The Home Office is out of touch with reality, setting the income bar so high. The pay levels of Public Servants set by the Government are not high enough to allow staff offered jobs to come to the UK and work. The Government knows it takes around ten years to train up doctors. Many young doctors trained in the UK are going abroad to work, tempted by good job offers, where the workload is not so high. What about Nurses and other staff will they be paid enough?"

Suffolk County Council have confirmed to Liberal Democrat councillors that ground investigations for the new bridges have just started involving 28 boreholes, trial pits and core penetration tests along the proposed routes. The work will last 12 weeks and there will then be a consultation period leading to a planning application. They have confirmed that no housing will need to be demolished although some business premises on either side of the river will need to be purchased. The exact routes are not being disclosed due to commercial considerations and the possibility of blighting the affected premises.