Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Harrington of Watford Excerpts

Monday 29th April 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We are under considerable pressure of time, but time must be found to hear the voice of Watford.

[Richard Harrington (Watford) (Con)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Before anyone asks, I did not run the marathon yesterday; I thought I should give other hon. Members a chance. However, I would like to declare a new—

[Mr Speaker]

How about saying, “Question No. 16”?

[Richard Harrington (Watford) (Con)]

16. What his timescale is for the disbursement of allocations from the condition improvement fund.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Nadhim Zahawi)]

I congratulate all colleagues who ran the marathon. The disbursements of funding for successful projects under the condition improvement fund 2019-20 will start in June.

[Richard Harrington]

I must disclose an interest, in that I am now a director of the Watford UTC, and I thank Lord Agnew for all the help he has given that university technical college.

I am delighted that four schools in Watford were successful in their bids to the fund for improvements, which is known as the CIF—I know that that sounds like a disinfectant, but it is actually really important. The successful schools were Watford Grammar School for Boys, the Grove Academy, the Orchard Primary School and Parmiter’s School. This is excellent news, but will my hon. Friend give me an idea of when the schools will receive the money from this welcome funding boost?

[Nadhim Zahawi]

Academies and sixth-form colleges can apply for funding over two financial years. The funding starts in June, and allocations for new projects will continue up until spring 2021. My hon. Friend has been a champion for children and schools in Watford.