Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Catherine McKinnell and Stuart Andrew

Tuesday 15th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending (Catherine McKinnell)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The right hon. Gentleman, himself a former Prisons Minister and a highly regarded former shadow Secretary of State, has raised this issue assiduously on behalf of his constituents. The project to replace a water main serving the Onley Park estate is progressing through design and development, with a projected programme expected in November.

[Stuart Andrew]

The Minister will know that Onley Park is still owned by the Ministry of Justice. Although I welcome the funding, these residents have been waiting years, and frankly they are really worried—we have still not got a start date or clarity around backdated bills, and the situation is affecting house sales now. Will the Minister meet me and representatives of the parish council, so that we can provide some clarity and a resolution for the residents of Onley Park?

[Catherine McKinnell]

I absolutely recognise the right hon. Gentleman’s concerns. As I have said, the projected programme should be with him by November. He will appreciate that there are important value for money considerations, and we also need to ensure we get the project right. It is expected to be a year long once it commences—by January 2027—but if he still requires a meeting, I would of course be happy to facilitate one.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Catherine McKinnell and Stuart Andrew

Monday 4th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Andrew (Daventry) (Con)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It has been a while since I have spoken!

Those at Buckton Fields school in my constituency were delighted when they had a newly constructed building, but that delight was sadly short-lived, as there were defects. As a consequence, with interim arrangements, the school’s roll has gone up and down, and now it has a £45,000 shortfall in its budget. Will the Minister meet me and representatives from the school to discuss the issue?

[The Minister for School Standards (Catherine McKinnell)]

I welcome the right hon. Gentleman back to his place and would be more than happy to meet him to discuss the challenges in his constituency.