Oral Answers to Questions

Caroline Johnson Excerpts

Monday 1st November 2021 Commons Chamber

[Robbie Moore (Keighley) (Con)]

7. What steps his Department is taking to help improve the condition of school buildings.

[Dr Caroline Johnson (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con)]

19. What steps his Department is taking to help improve the condition of school buildings.

[Simon Jupp (East Devon) (Con)]

23. What steps his Department is taking to help improve the condition of school buildings.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Walker]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for bringing the case of Ilkley Grammar School to my attention, which he has certainly done effectively. The condition improvement fund prioritises significant condition need, keeping buildings safe and in good working order. It has supported more than 1,400 projects at more than 1,200 schools and sixth forms during the current financial year. Applications for the 2022-23 round will be assessed according to the criteria that will be published shortly.

[Dr Caroline Johnson (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con)]

The lovely market town of Sleaford is growing—

[Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con)]

Thanks to you!

[Dr Johnson]

I’ve only got three kids. [Laughter.]

Anyway, the lovely market town of Sleaford is growing, which is causing capacity issues for both the boys’ and the girls’ grammar school sites, which are fairly constrained in the town centre. Thanks to the bequest of a very generous lady, the school has identified a site for a joint grammar school building. May I ask my hon. Friend for his support and that of the Government as part of the school rebuilding programme?

[Mr Walker]

I know that my hon. Friend has championed this issue, and indeed has been visited by Ministers from the Department, including the former Minister for the School System, Baroness Berridge. The school rebuilding programme will be targeted at schools in the worst condition. While I understand that there are merits in the proposed relocation and merger, we must make hard decisions about how we prioritise use of the Department’s budget, but of course I should be happy to meet my hon. Friend and discuss this further.