Asked by: Rebecca Paul (Conservative - Reigate)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which prison construction projects have been delayed as a result of the administration of ISG Construction and related contractors.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
Following the collapse of ISG Construction Limited, the Ministry of Justice activated contingency plans for affected projects. We remain committed to continuing the prison build programmes and to continuing to invest in prison maintenance so that existing places remain in use and are safe.
Construction projects to deliver maintenance and additional prison places were planned for completion by ISG Construction Limited at the following prisons:
HMP Birmingham
HMP Brinsford
HMP Bristol
HMP Bullingdon
HMP Cardiff
HMP Coldingley
HMP Dartmoor
HMP Durham
HMP Erlestoke
HMP Featherstone
HMP Ford
HMP Fosse Way
HMP Foston Hall
HMP Guy’s Marsh
HMP Hatfield
HMP Hewell
HMP Highpoint
HMP Humber
HMP Huntercombe
HMP Kirkham
HMP Kirklevington Grange
HMP Lancaster Farms
HMP Leeds
HMP Lewes
HMP Leyhill
HMP Liverpool
HMP Long Lartin
HMP Maidstone
HMP Manchester
HMP North Sea Camp
HMP Preston
HMP Prescoed
HMP Risley
HMP Rochester
HMP Send
HMP Springhill
HMP Standford Hill
HMP Stoke Heath
HMP Sudbury
HMP Swaleside
HMP The Verne
HMP Usk
HMP Warren Hill
HMP Winchester
HMP Wymott
The planned new prison in Buckinghamshire
Replacement contractors have been appointed on projects previously supplied by ISG and ESS, in line with contingency plans, with pre-construction work either now complete or ongoing.
The planned Category D Expansion at HMP Leyhill has since been descoped from the Prison Supply Programmes, but we continue to deliver c.100 Rapid Deployment Cells (RDCs) at this site. The planned Category D Expansion at HMP Springhill has also been descoped from the Prison Supply Programmes. The RDCs at HMP Erlestoke and HMP The Verne that ISG were contracted to deliver are now complete.
As set out in the 10-year Prison Capacity Strategy, published December 2024, the initial assessment indicates that ISG’s administration is expected to result in delays of between three to 18 months for the affected maintenance and prison expansion programmes timelines. We continue to work with new contractors to minimise delay and accelerate delivery wherever possible, and we remain on track in our aim to deliver 14,000 additional prison places by 2031. We have already delivered c.3,100 new prison places since taking office.
Asked by: Rebecca Paul (Conservative - Reigate)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what contingency planning his Department has undertaken to ensure the continued (a) affordability and (b) availability of nitrogen-based fertilisers for UK farmers.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is assessing the impact on farmers and fertiliser suppliers of high prices, and impacts in the wider supply chain. Defra is working closely with industry and farmers to understand risks and issues, and options for action where needed. Defra is committed to ensuring that these markets function fairly and we stand ready to act swiftly and appropriately to support our domestic farming industry and food security. Current fertiliser regulations are outdated and do not support the marketing of new and innovative products. The Government is consulting on new regulations to strengthen future fertiliser supply, protect the environment, and diversify supply for farmers.