Written questions by Dyke.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to provide assistance to British nationals stranded in the Middle East who are unable to organise onward travel.

The safety of British nationals remains the Government's top priority. I refer the Hon Member to the statement I gave to the House on 5 March, and the answers provided to questions raised in response. Assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates on a regular basis, including details of our ongoing evacuation flights, as well as our efforts to secure an end to Iran's attacks on countries in the region, and the full resumption of normal commercial flights.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what coordination is taking place with airlines operating flights from the UAE, Qatar and Oman to provide additional capacity or repatriation flights.

The safety of British nationals remains the Government's top priority. I refer the Hon Member to the statement I gave to the House on 5 March, and the answers provided to questions raised in response. Assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates on a regular basis, including details of our ongoing evacuation flights, as well as our efforts to secure an end to Iran's attacks on countries in the region, and the full resumption of normal commercial flights.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the 12-week Prison Office Entry Level Training in teaching new prison officers security procedures and de-escalation and rehabilitation techniques to deal with complex environments in our prison system.

Foundation Prison Officer training is designed to ensure that all new prison officers are supported and feel competent in their roles. All new entrants undertake a minimum of ten weeks of training, beginning with a ten-day induction process to familiarise them with the prison environment, including meeting line managers and colleagues and learning key security procedures. This is followed by either seven weeks in the male estate, eight weeks in the female estate, or nine weeks in the Youth Custody Service, delivered through face-to-face training at a central or local learning venue. Officers then return to their establishment for a final week of consolidation and shadowing.The foundation training package develops verbal communication and interpersonal skills, ensuring new officers are able to identify vulnerable prisoners, support them appropriately, and defuse potential conflict. This includes training in de-escalation techniques and, where the use of force is necessary, instruction on how to do so in line with organisational procedures and the law.Foundation training also equips officers with the skills required to maintain and update documentation, records and supporting systems, alongside the knowledge of security procedures, including searching techniques and the management and use of keys.Additionally, the Enable Programme is redeveloping the current foundation training for new entry prison officers into a 12-month modular package, reinforcing the principle of continuous professional development. It positions training as an evolving journey rather than a discrete, front-loaded phase at the start of a career, building on knowledge and application of that through their probationary period.The revised training aims to support the development of compassionate, competent and confident prison officers, able to deliver a wide range of operational and interpersonal skills underpinned by relational practice and rehabilitative working. The work is strongly aligned with that of Lord Timpson’s Review of Foundation Training Delivery for Prison Officers which focused on improving the learner experience with enhanced support, pride and greater rigour being applied; establishing an operating model with the right people, venues, curriculum, and standards in place; and encouraging a continuous learning environment with clear channels of accountability.

What the average officer to prisoner ratio was across all male prisons as of February 2026.

The number of full-time equivalent band 3-5 prison officers in each public sector prison is published quarterly as part of the “HM Prison and Probation Service workforce statistics” publication. The latest data, for staff in post on 31st December 2025, is available in Table 15 of this spreadsheet: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/699d794d07d7bff3604d6be2/hmpps-workforce-statistics-tables-dec-2025_final_file.ods.The number of prisoners in each prison is published as part of the “Offender management statistics quarterly” publication. The latest data, also for 31st December 2025, is available in Table 1_Q_13: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6978d8c475d4437096552064/prison-population-31-Dec-2025.ods.The list of each prison, their function and whether they are male only is available at this link: Prisons in England and Wales - GOV.UK.These publicly available resources can be used to calculate the average prison officer to prisoner ratio for male prisons.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of leachate on the aquatic environment as a result of landfill abandonment.

We recognise the potential impacts and threats presented from leachates entering into the environment, such as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and the risks of these associated with abandoned landfill sites. Government is assessing options on ensuring that any environmental risks which stem from landfill sites, both current and former, are minimised. Prior to a landfill becoming abandoned, a conceptual site model and hydrogeological risk assessment must be undertaken to identify any potential risks to the aquatic environment. These risks must be mitigated throughout the operational life of the site.

Food and Rural Affairs, what Government body is responsible for landfill sites that have been abandoned.

Defra is the lead Government department for waste policy, including that relating to landfill sites, both former and current. Responsibility for abandoned landfill sites at any given point in time is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with Department officials on potential landfill abandonment due to improved environmental standards.

It is a long-standing convention that meetings between ministers and their officials to discuss matters of policy are not separately reported.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of projected funding allocations for Skills Bootcamps in Wave 7.

We are giving local areas greater control of the delivery of Skills Bootcamps in line with our commitment to devolution; supporting areas to use Skills Bootcamps to more closely meet the needs of their local employers and economies. As part of this, a new funding model for local areas from 2026-27 will ensure the distribution of funding remains fit for purpose and sustainable as the programme matures. Under devolution, local areas are the commissioners of Skills Bootcamps and can plan provision according to local skills priorities. They are responsible for decisions relating to the allocation of funding to individual providers in line with their preferred commissioning method. We will continue to work with local areas on the implementation of the new funding methodology.

What steps he is taking to ensure that colleges do not face disproportionate reductions in Skills Bootcamps budgets compared with 2025-26.

We are giving local areas greater control of the delivery of Skills Bootcamps in line with our commitment to devolution; supporting areas to use Skills Bootcamps to more closely meet the needs of their local employers and economies. As part of this, a new funding model for local areas from 2026-27 will ensure the distribution of funding remains fit for purpose and sustainable as the programme matures. Under devolution, local areas are the commissioners of Skills Bootcamps and can plan provision according to local skills priorities. They are responsible for decisions relating to the allocation of funding to individual providers in line with their preferred commissioning method. We will continue to work with local areas on the implementation of the new funding methodology.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of basing Skills Bootcamps Wave 7 funding allocations on historic delivery data from 2024-25.

We are giving local areas greater control of the delivery of Skills Bootcamps in line with our commitment to devolution; supporting areas to use Skills Bootcamps to more closely meet the needs of their local employers and economies. As part of this, a new funding model for local areas from 2026-27 will ensure the distribution of funding remains fit for purpose and sustainable as the programme matures. Under devolution, local areas are the commissioners of Skills Bootcamps and can plan provision according to local skills priorities. They are responsible for decisions relating to the allocation of funding to individual providers in line with their preferred commissioning method. We will continue to work with local areas on the implementation of the new funding methodology.

How his Department’s Defence Skills Passport will be used to improve the retention of serving female personnel and promote women into senior leadership positions.

Defence’s transition to a skills‑based organisation is driven by the Pan‑Defence Skills Framework (PDSF). PDSF provides a single, governed set of skills that enables objective capability assessment and establishes a common language for identifying, defining, and managing skills. All personnel, both Service and civilian, will be required to record their PDSF Skills Profile, the utilisation of which will reduce gender bias, improve transparency, and create clearer, fairer pathways for progression. Career progression and workforce decisions will rely on objective assessment of skills and demonstration of leadership behaviours. This ensures that women can compete on a level platform at every career stage, provides a strong mechanism for their retention and increases the number of women progressing into senior leadership roles. It also reinforces gender-focused initiatives, such as mentoring, and targeted leadership development to broaden competition for roles. Building on the PDSF, the Defence Skills Passport will support more flexible movement between roles across Defence, enabling women to continue progressing without leaving the organisation. Future workforce insights tools will help Defence better identify and address gender disparities, strengthening the pipeline of women into senior leadership roles. Together, these measures strengthen the environment in which servicewomen can thrive, remain in Defence for longer, and progress into senior posts.

What steps he is taking to help improve female participation rates in the cadet forces and the percentage of female personnel serving in the armed forces.

We are proud of the gender diversity within the cadet organisations. As of April 2025, girls made up 36% of cadets in the community Cadet Forces and 39% in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), with the proportion of girls growing in both settings since April 2021. We are working to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendation to grow the Cadet Forces by 30% by 2030, increasing cadet numbers both in community-based units and in CCF contingents in schools. The ‘30 by 30’ campaign will see an increase of over 40,000 cadets across the UK, providing the opportunity for many more young people to enjoy the fantastic benefits of the cadet experience. We seek to continually improve the diversity of our cadets by offering a safe, welcoming environment with a range of activities on offer, and our Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) are excellent role models for female cadets. Within the community-based units, 35% of all CFAVs are women. We will ensure that volunteering within the Cadet Forces is as accessible and inclusive for women as possible as we develop an improved volunteer proposition as part of the ’30 by 30’ campaign. We are committed to increasing the proportion of women in the Armed Forces. Defence has introduced a wide range of initiatives over the past four years, including strengthened action on unacceptable behaviours, flexible working provisions, improved welfare and support, and better equipment and uniform. These initiatives are removing barriers and helping women thrive across all three Services. We will continue embedding this work to ensure women are supported throughout their careers and that the Armed Forces remain an employer of choice for talent from all backgrounds.

What the planned legislative timetable is for the Defence Readiness Bill.

Defence Readiness legislation is being considered to ensure the Government has the powers it needs to keep the UK safe in crisis or war, as recommended in the Strategic Defence Review. Legislation will be brought forward when Parliamentary time allows.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of attenuation ponds in reducing both the volume and flow of run from major roads where such works were not considered necessary pre-1990.

Attenuation ponds are deployed by Risk Management Authorities as a flood alleviation measure; they are determined by a range of factors including cost to benefit ratio and the standard of protection that can be achieved. In recent years, the highway sector has been innovative in its use of sustainable drainage and green infrastructure to help manage road flooding. A new three-year £4.2 billion Flood and Coastal Risk Investment Programme will start in April 2026, where new projects will align with the strategic objectives set out in the Government’s new funding rules announced in October 2025. This means investment goes where it is most needed, accounting for flood risk, value for money, natural flood management opportunity and additional contributions to make Government investment go further. This investment will benefit properties, infrastructure and agriculture. The Government and the Environment Agency are committed to improving England’s picture of flood and coastal erosion risk, including from surface water. The Environment Agency published its new National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA) data in 2025.

What the evidential basis is for his Department's position that all of the Atherton Report’s recommendations have been implemented in full.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 December 2025 to Question 98153 to the hon. Member for Lewes (James MacCleary).https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-12-08/98153

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the relative cost benefit of attenuation ponds compared with repeated flood damage to (a) properties, (b) infrastructure and (c) agricultural land.

Attenuation ponds are deployed by Risk Management Authorities as a flood alleviation measure; they are determined by a range of factors including cost to benefit ratio and the standard of protection that can be achieved. In recent years, the highway sector has been innovative in its use of sustainable drainage and green infrastructure to help manage road flooding. A new three-year £4.2 billion Flood and Coastal Risk Investment Programme will start in April 2026, where new projects will align with the strategic objectives set out in the Government’s new funding rules announced in October 2025. This means investment goes where it is most needed, accounting for flood risk, value for money, natural flood management opportunity and additional contributions to make Government investment go further. This investment will benefit properties, infrastructure and agriculture. The Government and the Environment Agency are committed to improving England’s picture of flood and coastal erosion risk, including from surface water. The Environment Agency published its new National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA) data in 2025.

What the full deployment timeline will be for the roll out of female body armour in the Armed Forces; and what feedback mechanisms will be established to help improve users’ experiences.

The current Tactical Ballistic Plate (TBP) project, which is currently in its assessment phase, will deliver hard armour plates in a range of different sizes, thus ensuring greater comfort and integration for all users across Defence. Multiple Human Factors Integration (HFI) trials have been completed with female representation. Further information regarding the timelines for the roll out of TBP will be available as the project progresses. The Army will continue to investigate options to procure complex geometry plates, working alongside both industry and Dstl. However, the technology is new, and the market does not currently offer complex geometry plates which meet current requirements. With regards to feedback mechanisms, there are opportunities for users to provide feedback however they will become more established with time.

Food and Rural Affairs, when representatives from her Department last met with milk producers to discuss farmgate milk prices.

Defra officials regularly engage with stakeholders from across the UK dairy industry on a wide range of issues including farmgate milk prices. Engagement is undertaken in various forms including through ad hoc and regular meetings with industry bodies and individual dairy businesses and milk producers, farm visits and attendance at industry events..

Food and Rural Affairs, what the average farmgate milk price was in each of the last five years.

Defra publishes monthly and annual milk prices on GOV.UK (Latest UK milk prices and composition of milk - GOV.UK). UK annual farmgate milk prices for the last five years are shown in the table below. Table: UK annual farmgate milk prices 2021-2025, pence per litre (ppl)YearPrice (ppl)202131.07202243.98202339.50202441.17202544.05

Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the average cost of producing a pint of milk in each of the last five years.

The average cost of production for milk is shown below. Data is from the Farm Business Survey which covers farm businesses in England with a Standard Output of more than £21,000. Whilst it captures the majority of agricultural activity, it excludes smaller businesses (which account for 2% of output).Production costs include all financial aspects of dairy enterprises such as unpaid labour, herd depreciation and an estimated rental equivalent for owned land. An allowance is also made for non-milk revenue (mostly the sale of dairy calves), which is applied as a reduction to cost. This reflects the value of by-products from milk production. The production costs therefore represent the price that would have to be paid on all milk produced for dairy enterprises to break even. The data includes organic production which is likely to incur higher production costs.Average cost of milk production (pence per litre) 2020/21 to 2024/252020/212021/222022/232023/242024/2528.336.448.644.244.9 Source: Farm Accounts in England