Business of the House

Helena Dollimore Excerpts

Thursday 22nd October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that important issue. Good ventilation is essential for healthy and productive learning environments, and the Department for Education has produced guidance on ventilation and air quality in education and childcare. I will ensure that the relevant Minister has heard his comments. If he wishes to hear from a Minister directly, he should perhaps seek an Adjournment debate so that he can discuss these matters further.

[Helena Dollimore (Hastings and Rye) (Lab/Co-op)]

Reform-run East Sussex county council is responsible for unblocking drains and filling potholes, but too often nothing is done when residents report those issues. I have been shocked to discover that the same contractor, Balfour Beatty, is paid both to independently check the quality of pothole filling and to fill potholes. I was also shocked to discover today that the number of miles of road that East Sussex is resurfacing this year is down on last year, bucking the national trend, despite extra money from this Labour Government to sort those issues out. Does the Leader of the House agree that Reform-run East Sussex county council must get a grip, fill the potholes and unblock the drains?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

In short, yes, I do. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend, who has run a very effective campaign on this issue. I note that Reform-led East Sussex county council has received £21 million from this Labour Government to fill potholes, which is a record amount. Put bluntly, we are doing our bit; it is time that the council matched that ambition. I hope my hon. Friend’s council has heard the concerns she has raised today, and that it gets on and fixes this issue without any further delay.