Shadow cabinet minister Darren Jones joined party members in Ipswich who are looking for votes in this year's borough council elections which are happening next month.

But his thoughts were very much on this year's general election as he joined volunteers campaigning in Chantry and youngsters learning skills needed to bring Net Zero to fruition at Suffolk New College.

Mr Jones is Shadow Chief Secretary - effectively deputy to Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

His job includes working out how much money a Labour government would make available to Whitehall departments and other public sector bodies.

And he is also responsible for a Labour government's support for Net Zero projects.

East Anglian Daily Times: Solar Panels have been installed on many council houses on the Chantry estate.Solar Panels have been installed on many council houses on the Chantry estate. (Image: Paul Geater)

During his visit to Chantry he was particularly impressed by the solar panels that had been fitted on the new roofs installed on council houses.

He said: "It's the first time in my travels across the country that I've been able to see where we've turned our Green Prosperity Plan into action - and it looks great."

Mr Jones was supporting Labour council candidates for next month's election, but was also joined by Labour parliamentary candidate Jack Abbott - and was thinking about the future.

He said people across the country people were telling him they felt it was time for a change.

A Labour government would try to work more closely with local councils - particularly those like Ipswich that were already Labour-run. But he said all councils had been frustrated by the lack of long-term planning by the current government.

He said: "It is very hard for councils to plan. We're going to bring back three-year settlements so councils know what will happen in the years ahead."

East Anglian Daily Times: Jack Abbott and Darren Jones spoke to students at Suffolk New College.Jack Abbott and Darren Jones spoke to students at Suffolk New College. (Image: Ipswich Labour Party)

After his visit to Chantry Mr Jones visited Suffolk New College where he met students and staff working on skills associate with Net Zero schemes.

And he also met business leaders from the sector to find out what they were hoping for from an incoming Labour government.