GOV.UK blogs

PATH-SAFE: Changing the way we approach surveillance

The ability to detect and identify harmful pathogens early and to accurately trace foodborne disease (FBD) outbreaks to their source is critical to ensuring public health is protected and economic impact is limited. Initiated in 2021 and funded through the …

Children embrace the future with the Humanoid School Project 

British Science Week 2025 marked the launch of an exciting new initiative, where primary school children across the UK were introduced to the world of humanoid robots.

Helping our fish to thrive: why the close season is so important

The evenings are getting lighter, and spring is very much upon us and this is the time of year that coarse fish up and down the country turn their attention to spawning. Adult fish will be spawning, or recovering from …

Defence apprentices test 3D printing to make replacement weapon parts 

Our Defence Academy delivers world-class training and education to defence and security personnel.    Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) apprentices Becky and Jolie are currently completing a five-year Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (WOME) engineering degree apprenticeship.   As part of this …

Why school attendance matters, and what we’re doing to improve it 

Every day at school counts. The evidence is clear - even a few days of missed school can have a significant impact on a child's education and future prospects. 

How we are pioneering artificial intelligence applications in public health 

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to address health security challenges. Here are 3 examples of projects that demonstrate how we're using cutting-edge AI technology to protect and improve public health.  Using …

The Nature Restoration Fund in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill

On Tuesday, the Government introduced the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to Parliament – alongside which Parliament has published the normal explanatory notes for legislation, and the Government has published a guide to the Bill and a set of fact sheets on key measures. One …

What is space weather, and why are we monitoring it?

As the Sun reaches its most active period in 22 years, we’re increasingly aware of the potential risks from severe space weather events. In our latest blog post, find out how we're refining our understanding and responses to space weather, ensuring the UK remains resilient to these cosmic challenges.

Open Digital Planning: a cross-sector partnership to transform local planning services

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) Digital Planning Programme coordinates Open Digital Planning (ODP) – a cross-sector partnership of forward-thinking local planning authorities (LPAs) working together to create a more efficient, data-driven planning system.

Over the last 4 years, we’ve worked closely with council officers to understand their technology and data challenges and have used these insights to drive meaningful change.

Championing Young Adult Carers in the Civil Service

Tamara Finkelstein DCB, introduces herself as the new Civil Service Champion for Carers and shares the experience of a young adult carer in the Civil Service Tamara Finkelstein DCB is Permanent Secretary at DEFRA and has recently become the Civil …

Good services are verbs, but better services include nouns

Defra policy lab experts Toby Squire and Rhiannon Long design public services around objects that are familiar to citizens.

The importance of load security 

Load security is incredibly important but is often overlooked. It’s a topic which may not seem exciting or interesting, but the consequences of neglecting it can be truly devastating.   Back in December 2024, Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) updated its …

TechTrack: revolutionising digital apprenticeships in the Civil Service

Learn more about the innovative digital apprenticeship programme, TechTrack, and the plans for 2,000 apprentices to join Whitehall.

Third-party providers: Get ready to register as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider

If you're planning to verify the identity of clients for Companies House, you’ll need to register your business as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Find out how to get your business ready.

Text (digitised) and videotape: video transcripts help everyone, not just people with access needs

Many individuals prefer reading video transcripts. At the Ministry of Defence, a survey was conducted to explore how staff without accessibility needs engage with transcripts and the reasons for their preferences.

Update on the farming budget

In this post, we summarise the government's £5 billion investment in farming. We outline how the funding is allocated across the Farming and Countryside Programme. We also highlight recent updates and future plans.

Understanding the true burden of Infectious Intestinal Disease in the UK

Cymraeg The third study of infectious intestinal disease (IID3) aims to quantify the rates of infection reported across primary care and NHS 111/NHS 24 call services and quantify the level of underreporting in order to make new estimates of the …

SMA Screening ISE Partnership Board update February 2025

An update from the partnership board that is overseeing the planning of an in-service evaluation (ISE) of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy.

Community Connect - creating data community cohesion

Read about Community Connect, the first in person cross-government data community meet-up. The event, which followed on from the success of DataConnect, celebrated the power of communities to work together, and contribute to the data sharing priorities for government. Take a look at the key from individual data community meetings, and sign-up to upcoming community events.

Tracking Jack Snipe: Our quest to understand the UK’s most elusive bird

By Kevin Clements, West Midlands Area Delivery Team The project The Jack Snipe is probably our most elusive and least understood bird. But a Natural England project aims to change that. It’s a small and secretive bird which, arguably, a …

Nanoplastics are everywhere: what is the health impact of these tiny particles?

Nanoplastics, and their slightly larger cousins microplastics, are polluting our environment and our food. The study of these tiny particles is still a relatively new field and in this blog post for British Science Week we’ll explore how scientists are investigating the effects nanoparticles are having on the human brain and its defences.

The Seven Principles of Public Life: Reflections During 30th Anniversary Year

To mark the 30th anniversary of the Nolan Principles, the Committee will be publishing a new series of blogs about the work of a range of standards bodies in England. Our third blog is from Sir Laurie Magnus CBE, Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.

How local authorities can help young carers

Today is Young Carers Action Day, an annual event organised by Carers Trust to call for better support for young carers. Just over a year ago, we amended our inspections of local authority children’s services (ILACS) to help inspectors and …

NHS Patient Screening Invitations: what you need to know

You may have heard that a small minority of people have not been invited to screening appointments because of an error in how GP offices have registered them. This issue affects screening invitations for bowel cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and …

An update on the Sustainable Farming Incentive 

With record numbers of farm businesses in farming schemes and the sustainable farming budget successfully allocated, we will stop accepting new applications for SFI from today. In this post, we set out what it means for you.

Why Female Representation Matters in Digital and Tech

Hello, I’m Eleni, a Talent Partner at Justice Digital, and I joined the team in September 2023. In this blog, I will be sharing my reflections on our inclusive recruitment practices and why the inclusion of women in the digital …

OHID Implementing NHS login into NHS Active 10: a pilot for the Better Health mobile app portfolio Alpha Assessment

From: DHSCAssessment Date: 21/09/2023Stage: AlphaResult: MetService Provider: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities Service description  This service aims to support and motivate users to make positive behaviour changes to improve their health as part of the NHS Better Health mobile app portfolio.   Active 10 is …

British Science Week 2025: Adapting to the changing food landscape

Cymraeg British Science Week runs this year from 7th to 16th March. This is a celebration of science, technology, engineering, and maths run by the British Science Association. Each year has a different theme, with this year's theme being ‘change …

Coverage on compulsory purchase reforms

Reports today misleadingly allege that farmers will be targeted and forced to sell their land for less than their potential value under compulsory purchase reforms in the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill. The government’s changes are not targeting farmers or …

The National Collection of Type Cultures: where 100-year-old samples help solve today’s problems

For British Science Week, we take a look at how decades old, pre-antibiotic samples in our Culture Collections are helping to address health security challenges today. Read our latest blog post to find out how our specimens have become essential ingredients in some of the most important scientific developments in history – some more than once.

Changes to health protection notification regulations (NOIDs)

From 6 April 2025, we’re expanding the list of pathogens that Registered Medical Professionals and laboratories in England must notify us about. The changes will strengthen local and national surveillance and support a prompt response to outbreaks of infectious diseases. …

Discovering my passion as a Veterinary Research Scientist

It was not until her last year at university that APHA Scientist Dr Samantha Henry realized her true passion for veterinary research, a journey that began in Jamaica and led her to the UK. This British Science Week, let us dive deeper into her inspiring story in this engaging three-minute blog.

Study launched into relationship between people and nature

By Ruth Lamont, Principal Officer in Research Ethics, Knowledge into Practice, Chief Scientist’s Directorate, Natural England Started in 2022, the RENEW project, led by the University of Exeter and funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, is a five-year programme …

Meet the Trailblazer: Claire Kerridge

by Claire Kerridge Tell us about a Knowledge Asset innovative project you’re proud of and why? Our focus in cell and gene therapy research led us to explore the necessity for a UK-based, not-for-profit induced pluripotent stem cell repository. This …

Developing frameworks and tools to support responsible data and AI use across the public sector

The GDS Data Ethics team share their work and progress to date about the Data Ethics Framework - why it is important, how it is used and how teams can get involved.

Our new consumer enforcement regime

Update from CMA CEO Sarah Cardell on the CMA’s new consumer enforcement regime, ahead of our new powers coming into force on 6 April.

Innovators and changemakers: Celebrating women in the Civil Service

Whilst reflecting on International Women’s Day 2025, we’d like to shout-out to all the amazing women of the Civil Service who we spoke to over recent months as part of our Meet the Modern Civil Service series.

Kielder a ‘beacon of hope’ in work to save pearl mussel

The critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel populations have declined drastically worldwide over recent decades. But conservation work at Kielder Salmon Centre in Northumberland is aiming to reverse that trend through a captive breeding programme and by working with partners to create healthier rivers.

British Science Week 2025

Change and adapt: From lab bench to government To celebrate British Science Week, and this year’s theme of ‘change and adapt’ we hear from Grace, a GSE member and scientist by background, who shares her journey from the lab bench …

Celebrating the timber in our lives

Dr Anna Brown, Director of Forest Services at the Forestry Commission, explores the ways that timber shapes our daily lives. This blog celebrates craftsmanship, sustainability and innovation behind one of nature’s most remarkable resources.