GOV.UK blogs

Environmental Improvement Plan outlines ambition to create greener and cleaner country

Today we are looking at media coverage of Defra’s announcement launching the Environment Improvement Plan.

World Cancer Day 4 February - Nikki Evans Co-chair of the Defence Cancer Support Network, shares her personal experience of cancer

Cancer will affect 1 in 2. Whether we are diagnosed with cancer, care for
someone who has been, have an inherited genetic risk, are a line manger or friend, we will all be affected by cancer. It can be a difficult to navigate, not only on a personal level but also in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. To raise awareness on World Cancer Day, Government Security Profession have been speaking with Nikki Evans, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Director of Resources at Air Command and Co-chair of the Defence Cancer Support Network about her personal experience.

Reviewing the Accommodation Offset

In its 2022 Report, the Low Pay Commission completed a review of the Accommodation Offset. This blog sets out a digested version of our conclusions and recommendations. What is the Accommodation Offset? How does it work? The offset comes into …

Census figures deliver more veteran insights

Almost a third of UK Armed Forces veterans in England and Wales are 80 years of age or older, according to census data just released. The new findings, published by the Office for National Statistics, look at factors such as …

Kinship care, an internship and overcoming a difficult start to life

Chloe Agnew is currently on the Civil Service Care Leaver Internship Scheme and tells us about her experience on the programme and growing up with her Gran as her kinship carer.

Council Tax band challenges

You can contact the VOA if you think your property may be in the wrong Council Tax band. Before challenging your band, it is important to know what to expect.

How Morrisons are supporting farmers to plant trees

We caught up with Sophie Throup, Head of Sustainability and Agriculture at Morrisons, to find out more about their Tree Advisor initiative.

Dragons’ Den, Episode 5, Series 20

From van alarms to fashion, bag pipes to apps – IP affects every area of business. However, the entrepreneurs had one thing in common...they were seeking that all important investment from the Dragons.

Coverage on avian influenza in non-avian wild mammals

Today’s blog focuses on coverage around bird flu ‘spilling over’ into mammals.

Everything you need to know about the Lifelong Learning Bill

The Lifelong Learning (Higher Education Fee Limits) Bill has been introduced in parliament, which will allow for the Government’s Lifelong Loan Entitlement (LLE) to be rolled out from 2025. But what does this mean for you? Here we explain: What …

Ofsted's 2023 priorities for early years

Before looking ahead to what 2023 will hold for the early years sector, it's worth reflecting on the year that has just passed. Ofsted ended the year with the publication of our Annual Report, which provides an overview of what …

Key dates to look out for in 2023

We are sharing the key dates to look out for in 2023 for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), Countryside Stewardship (CS), Environmental Stewardship (ES) and the Lump Sum Exit Scheme so you can now check when you can make your …

Oil Price Cap Update: Refined Products

The UK and our allies have introduced some of the broadest and most severe sanctions against Russia that any country has ever faced. In alignment with our coalition partners, we have banned the import of Russian oil and oil products …

Making sure children and young people's voices are heard

Anne-Marie Connelly, is a member of the National Implementation Board, which brings together strategic leaders and people with lived experience of the care system to advise on the government's reform strategy for children’s social care. Here, she tells us about how important it is for children and young people's voice to be heard to help shape reforms.

Track our progress: Trade Remedies Authority case milestones – Feb 2023

This month’s tracker shows progress on our cases during January and the data is correct as of 2 February 2023. Subscribe here to receive automatic monthly updates of our interactive case tracker and view each stage of a case investigation …

Loveday Ryder: DVSA's plans for 2023

Loveday Ryder, DVSA Chief Executive, gives an update on what’s coming up 2023, including continuing work to bring driving test waiting times down, the launch of a brand-new campaign website, investing in our people and new technologies, and more.

Reflecting on DVSA’s successes in 2022

Loveday Ryder, DVSA Chief Executive, reflects on achievements in 2022, including bringing driving test waiting times down, tackling businesses exploiting learner drivers, and the launch of the‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign.

Public sector leaders need to keep talking about standards

An approach which focuses only on compliance is a missed opportunity. Leaders have the opportunity to galvanise the people in their organisations to aim high.

How we are improving our support for vulnerable children and families 

Children’s social care plays an invaluable role in supporting and protecting the most vulnerable children. Here’s what you need to know about our ambitious plans to reform support for children in care and the children’s social care system.  

UK NSC recommends introduction of screening for tyrosinaemia in newborns

The UK National Screening Committee is recommending the introduction of screening for tyrosinaemia as part of the newborn blood spot screening programme.

Over 90% of schools open during strike action

Data collected by the Department for Education showed 90.7% of schools remained open to some or all pupils on Wednesday 1 February during strike action by the NEU (National Education Union). 45.9% were reported to be fully open, 44.7% were …

Ofsted's 2023 priorities for social care

2022 saw the publication of several reviews looking at the children’s social care sector. The Care Review, the Competition and Markets Authority market study, and the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel all made major recommendations for reform. In our own …

Ofsted's 2023 priorities for schools and further education and skills

2023 is already shaping up to be another busy year for schools and further education (FE) and skills providers. While none of us can quite predict what might be around the corner, our Annual Report, published at the end of …

National Infrastructure Applications Service improves user experience with launch of examination stage

Oliver Blower (Applications Service Manager) leads the improvements to the Inspectorate’s applications service. In this post he explains the developments being made to the online service for nationally significant infrastructure projects.

Landscape Recovery: get ready for the second round

You may have seen in our recent environmental land management update that the second round of Landscape Recovery will open in spring. To help you prepare, we’re hosting a series of webinars. In this post, I’ll share a brief overview of Landscape Recovery, our progress so far and the details of those webinars. 

National Storytelling Week: Tales from the Plain

It’s National Storytelling Week so I thought it would be a great opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself and my role and to share some stories with you about Salisbury Plain Training Area, the UK’s largest military …

Our cancer network: why inclusive support matters

Sarah tells us how her personal experience motivated her to join the Companies House cancer network, offering support and a safe space to connect with colleagues.

How we promote and teach online safety in schools?

Today’s pupils are growing up in an increasingly complex world, living their lives on and offline. This presents many exciting opportunities – but also challenges.

POSEIDON: Changing the game for offshore wind and nature

By Alex Fawcett and Victoria Copley, Marine Strategic Solutions Principal Advisers Offshore wind development is a vitally important part of the UK government approach to tackling the climate crisis and addressing energy security. This priority sits alongside the urgent need …

World Cancer Day: Uniting our voices and taking action

To mark World Cancer Day, the Civil Service Working Through Cancer Network is encouraging staff to raise awareness about prevention, detection and treatment of cancer and the significant value of workplace support groups.  This year’s theme for World Cancer Day …

Delivery Managers share the advice that changed their practice forever

Looking backwards propels you forwards No one in the Delivery Management profession has had the same journey into their careers, but we all started somewhere. We’ve shared the diversity of routes into the profession in blogs from Nic, Amy & …

Making progress on the global mission to develop pandemic-fighting tools within 100 days

This week the International Pandemic Preparedness (IPP) Secretariat published its 2022 Implementation Report on this “100 Days Mission”, building on a previous report published in 2021.

This is an important moment to reflect on the world’s progress and also re-state the UK’s commitment to this effort which has the potential to save millions of lives as well as protect our economies and public services in the event of a future pandemic.

What the Environmental Improvement Plan means for you 

Published today, the Environmental Improvement Plan sets out the actions we must take to help us restore nature, tackle environmental pollution, and increase the prosperity of our country. In this post, I’ll explain what the Environmental Improvement Plan means in the context of our work and, by extension, what this means for farmers and land managers in England. I’ll also share an update on the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.

Industrial Placements at HMRC

Our industrial placements are a fantastic opportunity for university students to take time out of their studies to gain real experience and develop business skills and knowledge before returning to university to complete their degree. At HMRC, we offer industrial …

Why I’m volunteering as a STEM Ambassador

Read how Karl came to be a STEM ambassador and what volunteering means to him.

Investing in skills and employment

What does investment in the next generation of nuclear workers look like? For us, it looks like year-on-year investment in apprenticeships and graduate trainees, and that’s just part of the story. This week some of our apprentices and graduates are in Westminster, sharing their experiences. Meet, Sophie, Rachel, and Nicholas.

Meet the IPO Board: CEO Adam Williams

In December 2022, Adam Williams was announced as IPO’s new CEO. After 13 years at the IPO, he isn’t a totally unknown quantity, but we talked to Adam to find out more about his background, his IPO journey and his aspirations for IPO’s future.

How the DDaT Profession Framework supports our Business Analysts

How does the Digital, Data and Technology Profession Framework support the careers of Business Analysts at the Home Office? Simon and Rosie explain.

Latest statement in response to small boat crossings

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The unacceptable number of people risking their lives by making these dangerous crossings is placing an unprecedented strain on our asylum system. “Our priority is to stop this illegal trade, and our new Small Boats …

How Carbon Literacy training inspired me to trim more than 23 tonnes off my personal carbon footprint

Jennifer Howard is an Asset Performance Advisor who has worked in Flood and Coastal Risk Management for the Environment Agency for 18 years. Her work is focussed on flood incident response. Here, she talks about how her background and how …