6880posts
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Working together for Nature Recovery in Greater Manchester
The launch of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has been a major achievement this year – this world-leading initiative means that for the first time, development must leave nature measurably improved. I was lucky enough to visit Greater Manchester to speak …
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DHSC Hospital Fault Reporting Beta Assessment
Read the beta report for the Hospital Fault Reporting App assessment from DHSC. This report contains the original beta assessment report from 01 September 2022 as well as the reassessed service standard points
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Radical action to speed up removal of unsafe cladding announced
There has been widespread coverage following the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government’s publication of the Remediation Acceleration Plan today (2 December 2024) This was picked up in print and online by the BBC, FT, I, Guardian, Mirror, LBC, …
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Shared Lives: mutually assured support
Shared Lives is a community-based service offering accommodation and support to adults with learning disabilities and/or other social care needs. Find out more...
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My experience of the risk protection arrangement (RPA) claims process when our school flooded.
Catherine Morley is the Headteacher at Theale Church of England Primary School in Reading, West Berkshire. In this blog post, Catherine shares her experience of the RPA support her school received when an incident with the sprinkler suppression system resulted in severe water damage to her school.
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Diagnostic excellence in action: APHA’s response to high pathogenicity avian influenza threats in cattle
In response to a bird flu infection in cattle in the United States, APHA was assigned to provide expert advice and conduct urgent diagnostic investigations to evaluate the potential threat to UK cattle populations.
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Five surprising career paths you can unlock with a T Level
T Levels are a post 16 education option alternative to A levels that include vocational study and the opportunity to get experience with employers through placements in industry. Here we show you some surprising career paths you can unlock with a T level qualification.
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Focus Five – a high impact, low-cost response to disadvantage
Phil Stock, who is also Director of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) Research School based at Greenshaw, tells us about his schools’ approach to supporting its most disadvantaged pupils through pupil premium.
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How we’re bringing new ideas into our sustainability alliance
This is an AI image generated by Dalle / ChatGPT. Chris Howes reflects on a recent gathering of Government Digital Sustainability Alliance (GDSA) members that included the latest recruits to what is becoming a fast-growing forum. It was my pleasure …
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Local Government Policy Statement
Council Tax Following the publication of the Local Government Policy Statement for 2025-2026, there has been speculative media coverage that councils will be able to increase council tax above the 5% threshold. The government is committed to keeping taxes on …
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Regulatory EDM 2024 Bathing Season storm overflow data analysed
The Environment Agency has analysed Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) data on storm overflows associated with bathing waters across England for 2024. This regulatory data, bolstered as 100% of storm overflows are now fitted with event duration monitors, is a vital …
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Latest statement in response to small boat crossings
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security. “The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as …
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Small but mighty! Nature recovery seed corn projects 2024
The government is committed to nature recovery and Natural England (NE) is working with partners to grow a national Nature Recovery Network (NRN). This growing network of enhanced, better-connected wildlife-rich places supports biodiversity and species recovery. It will also enhance climate …
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Why is norovirus reporting in England so high at the moment?
Data for the current 2024/2025 season in England shows that norovirus laboratory reports are notably higher than the 5-season average. Norovirus cases typically increase through autumn and into winter, but this year cases have risen earlier than usual and are …
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Best Start in Life Curriculum Roadshows – what does our research mean for you and what’s next?
In November 2024, we completed our annual programme of Best Start in Life Curriculum Roadshows on the prime areas of learning. In this blog we reflect on where our roadshows have taken us this year, what we spoke about, and …
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New Tree Planting Taskforce launched during National Tree Week
A new Tree Planting Taskforce has been launched today to oversee the planting of millions of trees across the UK. In this post, the Environment blog team will highlight what this means, as well as some other ways we’re celebrating the week.
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Meat Inspection Charges Explained
Today we have published the FSA December Board papers and one of the issues to be discussed is the cost of meat inspections. Meat inspections are vital to the UK’s food security. These inspections are carried out by highly trained …
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Global Effort: Ensuring justice for all
In this episode of Inside HMCTS, we delve into the recent OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Global Roundtable on Access to Justice held in Ottawa, Canada. Join us as we explore the innovative approaches and practical strategies being implemented to improve access to justice worldwide.
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How we’re designing GOV.UK Chat
Learn more about our approach to designing GOV.UK’s experimental chatbot.
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Evolving our approach to benefits analysis
‘Evolve’ is a portfolio of projects within Justice Digital, improving the way workplace technology services are delivered. We aim to make sure that the 100,000 people working across the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) have the digital tools, services, equipment, connectivity …
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Data protection considerations for implementing federated learning – a regulator’s perspective
This guest post features reflections from the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
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Seeing Red: Cefas contributes to IUCN global assessment of threatened coral reefs
Coral reefs are vital for our oceans. They are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems on the planet, providing habitat for a vast array of marine life. They also provide livelihoods for over 600 million people, and coastal protection …
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Should we be concerned about mercury in tinned tuna?
Cymraeg Tinned tuna is a cupboard staple across the country and is an excellent source of protein, vitamins and minerals. Tuna has been hitting the headlines recently following a report by Bloom, a marine conservation organisation based in France, about …
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Everything you need to know about free school breakfast clubs
Families will soon be able to start accessing free breakfast clubs lasting 30 minutes for their children before school through our new free breakfast club programme. Find out more.
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Delegated healthcare: the journey continues
Right care, right place, right time As the conversations about delegated healthcare continue to evolve, the messaging remains clear. Delegation of healthcare activities is happening across adult social care and has been for many years. These voluntary guiding principles support …
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An update on capital grants
As a result of unprecedented demand, some of the capital grant offers for farmers has temporarily closed to new applications. In this post, we summarise the changes to capital grants.
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Loyalty pricing: what shoppers and supermarkets need to know
Are you a member of a supermarket loyalty scheme? If so, do you trust that the loyalty discounts are as good as they seem, and that you are getting a good deal? The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is working …
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PhD student Joshua Bettles joins the team at Sizewell A to explore robotics and their role in monitoring
PhD student Joshua Bettles reflects on his three-week placement with the team from Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) – part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group that is co-funding his studies – at former nuclear power station Sizewell A to …
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Content workflow tips
When working on content-heavy services like our Early years child development training and Support for social workers, it’s crucial to agree on and document a workflow. This is because: For guidance, refer to reviewing and approving content and user-centred design …
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Faster, better, cheaper: delivering improved outcomes for citizens
Digital is about working smarter, streamlining how we operate, making policies more responsive, and creating a culture of collaboration. Earlier this autumn, our digital team set out a vision within the department of using digital ways of working to deliver improved outcomes. Find out about the objectives, principles and approach that underpin our ambition.
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How NE is helping people connect with nature in the West Midlands
By Dr Chloe Hardman, Senior Project Manager, West Midlands Area Team How do you connect with nature? Noticing birdsong? Watching the changing seasons? There is scope for us all to find ways to connect with nature more deeply and experience …
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GSE Leadership Values: Autumn Masterclass
The GSE Profession team delivered an in-person GSE masterclass in London on the 17 October 2024, attended by over 70 science and engineering professionals across government. The theme for the event was ‘leading change through a science and engineering lens’. …
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Using OCT eye scans in post screening pathway will save tens of thousands of NHS hospital appointments every year
The phased implementation of OCT scans into the post-diabetic eye screening treatment and surveillance pathway in England is expected to save tens of thousands of hospital appointments every year.
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Giving gifts as an attorney or deputy
[English] - [Cymraeg] Understanding your role As an attorney or deputy acting on behalf of a loved one, occasions like Christmas, birthdays, or anniversaries can raise questions about giving gifts and presents. Gifts can be given on festive occasions as …
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Transforming the DBT Intranet
How we are using user-centred design to transform and update the Department for Business and Trade's intranet
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What are this year’s bathing water classifications?
Today, 26 November, the Environment Agency and Defra published the annual classifications of bathing water sites in England. The results follow testing of England’s 450 designated sites throughout the May to September bathing season. 92% of bathing waters in England …
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Help us improve the Marine Licensing Service
In 2022 the Marine Management Organisation's (MMO) corporate plan set out our commitment to England's marine area and all those who use it for the next three years. This included a new vision for the Marine Licensing Service. In it, …
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Achieving success for all through the Pupil Premium
Elizabeth Bramley, headteacher and disadvantage strategy lead tells us how she uses the pupil premium grant to raise attainment.
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Investing in nature: global action is needed for a sustainable future
Ruth Davis is the UK’s first-ever Special Representative for Nature. In this post, she shares her reflections on the role the UK government has played at COP29 and why we need to put nature at the heart of our discussions on climate change.
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CSHT mirror agreements and HLS extensions: an overview
If you have a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) agri-environment agreement that expires in 2024 or Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement that expires in 2024 or 2025, we want to support you as you transition to our environmental land management (ELM) schemes. In this post, I’ll share an overview for those with CSHT and HLS agreements.