9021posts
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New school food standards: what parents need to know
Eating well at school plays an important role in children’s health, wellbeing and ability to learn. That’s why the government is consulting on plans to update the School Food Standards for the first time in over a decade, with a …
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Unlocking the National Soil Map: free and unrestricted access to England and Wales’s most comprehensive soil data
This month marks a significant milestone for soil, and in how we all can factor soils into our policy, research and decision making. The National Soil Map for England and Wales, alongside a range of additional LandIS datasets are now open.
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The planning technology projects changing the planning system
New technology is transforming how planning is delivered. 3 of the 4 finalists in this year's Planning Awards' digital technology category are funded by the Digital Planning programme, demonstrating how AI tools and technology are saving time, improving consistency and helping deliver 1.5 million homes.
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New Nature Investment Standards: A practical guide to assurance
Nature markets matter. When they are designed well, with high environmental standards at their centre, they drive real and lasting environmental change underpinned by financial returns that lock in that change for generations to come. This is where the Nature Investment Standards come in.
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The information gateway: enabling secure sharing of information held by public authorities with trusted digital verification services
Through the information gateway, registered digital verification service (DVS) providers can ask for information directly from public authorities. Section 45 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 contains a power that is referred to as the "information gateway", which …
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A call to serve: How community shaped my path into teaching
Haris Shafi talks about navigating racism, redesigning his setting's history curriculum, and creating a culture where every child feels proud of who they are.
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Get to an answer
The Customer Experience and Design (CX&D) team have created a new pattern called 'Get to an answer'. It makes it easy for user-centred design teams in the Department for Education (DfE) to build content that guides users to relevant information by answering a short series of questions. Where this started The project started with Support for care leavers. What support a care leaver is entitled to …
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Opening doors: How representation shapes opportunity
Shahista Zamir reflects on her journey into education — navigating cultural expectations, racism, and the challenges of balancing leadership with parenting.
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Developing climate-related health insights
GAD's new climate and health group brings together expert analysis to help public sector clients understand climate-related health risks in long-term planning.
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15 minutes from nature: how we're measuring England's access to green and blue space
In March 2026, we published the new Access to green and blue space in England Official Statistics in Development. These show that 80% of households in England have access to at least one green or blue space within a 15-minute walk. Read this post to find out more.
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Reflections on the Nature Restoration Fund Business Readiness Forum
In this blog we look back on the first Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) Business Readiness Forum, held to help developers, planners and environmental stakeholders understand how the new fund will work in practice. We explain how the NRF and Environmental …
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Expanding OTSI’s Licensing Remit
The Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) will soon be expanding its licensing role. From Monday 27 April, OTSI will become responsible for licensing sanctioned goods (and associated ancillary services) for export to sanctioned destinations. This builds on OTSI’s existing responsibilities for licensing sanctioned standalone services, such as professional business services. Licensing goods and ancillary services which are subject …
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Why Global Collaboration on IP Matters
INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo talks about the importance of global collaboration on IP matters and why IP professionals should gather in London next month for the INTA 2026 Annual Meeting.
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APHA Launch the Veterinary Graduate Programme
This year the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are launching their first Veterinary Graduate Programme, marking an exciting new step in how we attract, develop and retain the next generation of veterinary professionals. From our engagement with veterinary audiences, …
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From emergency to sustainability: creating Share Homes for Ukraine data
Learn how the Homes for Ukraine Digital team in MHCLG delivered a sustainable, in-house digital service at national scale to support a humanitarian crisis, transitioning from emergency response to long-term transformation, and creating significant efficiencies, a better user experience as well as opportunities for reusability across government.
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A journey of a thousand miles
One of our senior female planning inspectors reflects on nearly nine years at the Planning Inspectorate - from trainee to Band 3, juggling family life, navigating imposter syndrome, and finding support from colleagues along the way. What does a career as a planning inspector really look like?
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Thirty Years On: How Regulation Has Transformed the Environment – A View from the Chief Regulator
Thirty years ago, the Environment Agency first opened its doors. It had a clear dual purpose: to protect the environment and support sustainable development.
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How councils are finding greener ways to manage weeds in our parks and streets
When you walk through your local park or along the pavement, you might not think much about how the weeds are kept under control. But behind the scenes, councils across the country are rethinking their approach, moving away from chemical …
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How digital verification service providers should describe their certification for specific use cases
As adoption of digital verification services (DVS) grows, it’s important that certified DVS providers share clear, consistent and accurate information about what their certification means. Some terminology can cause confusion - for example, where providers describe their service as being …
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Apply for a Lowland Peat Water Discovery Grant
You can now apply for a Lowland Peat Water Discovery Grant. Up to £4.5 million is available to help farmers and local partners explore more sustainable ways of managing water in lowland peat areas.
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Improving England’s lowland peat: applications open for the Water Discovery Grant
Today we’re launching the Lowland Peat Water Discovery Grant. The Discovery Grant will run until 2028, providing up to £4.5 million in funding to support local, collaborative approaches to more sustainable forms of water management within lowland peatland catchments. Read this post to find out more.
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Why screening is not the answer to inconsistently applied clinical guidance
Certain screening principles can help support better implementation of clinical guidance without turning that guidance into a screening programme.
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The importance of military training
Every day of the year, across the entire UK Defence training estate, our service personnel undertake rigorous, complex and demanding training designed to prepare them for the demands of modern operations. This training is essential to maintaining the readiness of …
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Improving EU trade: what you need to know
The government is working on a new food trade agreement with the European Union (EU) to make it easier for farmers and food producers to trade. This post explains the background to the agreement, what it is meant to do, and how you can keep up with progress.
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Unearthing the net zero solution beneath our feet
When you think about net zero, what comes to mind? Sunlight reflecting off solar panels? Turbines spinning in strong coastal winds?
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Live More – supporting people living with dementia to stay active, connected and well through Shared Lives
Introduction by Sarah McClinton I was so impressed when I heard about the Live More initiative in Greater Manchester and would like to thank Neil Crowther for this blog, which I am delighted to introduce. It is particularly timely, as …
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Reducing requisitions: Trowers & Hamlins’ quality-led approach
How one commercial firm keeps avoidable requisitions low by building quality into complex property work.
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Why GOV.UK APIs are changing and how you can get involved
We’re exploring how the application programming interfaces (APIs) that deliver content for GOV.UK could evolve to better support an experience spanning multiple digital channels. Find out what we’re doing and why we want to understand more about our users.
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Who’s eligible for the 2026 COVID-19 vaccine, or ‘Spring Booster’?
As we move into spring, protection from any earlier COVID-19 vaccination you may have had will be starting to wane. For those who are more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, the NHS offers a free vaccine in the …
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April consultation events to give feedback on draft plans
Share your views on the draft fisheries management plans. Join an event, watch a webinar, and respond online before 5 May.
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DVSA and CPT’s experience exchange
Senior leaders from DVSA and CPT came together for immersive visits designed to give a practical understanding of each organisation’s work and the pressures they face.
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From fridge yetis to real results: how the HMRC app is helping people take control of their money and tax
HMRC’s Transformation Roadmap sets out a clear ambition: to make everyday tax interactions simpler and more intuitive to meet customer needs. The increased traffic to the HMRC app this year reflects HMRC’s longer‑term ambition to make it easier for customers …
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Healthy Land, Secure Future: A Land Use Framework for Nature, Climate and Communities
By Hannah Wood, Strategy Deputy Director, and Fin Rylatt, Land Use Framework lead, Natural England In this blog post, we explain how the new Land Use Framework sets out a path to clearer, more integrated ways of managing England’s land. The new Framework shows how nature, food production, clean energy and housing can complement each …
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Collective capability for public problem-solving
Leading public designers write about the common ways they work across governments around the world.
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Ready to ride? Your guide to getting back on the road this spring
Make sure your bike is ready for the road before you go on your first proper ride of the year.
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What we've heard about employability skills in young people and the role Skills England can play, by Tessa Griffiths and Sarah Maclean
ONS data shows that around one in eight young people aged 16-24 in the UK (about 957,000 individuals) are not in education, employment or training. The government’s recent announcement of a £1 billion youth employment package highlights just how urgent this …
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From Cell to Court: Inside Prisoner Escort and Custody Services
Before a defendant reaches the dock of the courtroom, there’s a complex operation involving transport drivers, custody officers, and multiple agencies to get them there. In this episode, Josie goes behind the scenes at Manchester Magistrates Court, spending a day …
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Breaking Down Barriers: Workplace Adjustments for World Autism Day
April is World Autism Acceptance Month and 2nd April marks World Autism Day (often celebrated as Autism Acceptance Day). This year, the 2026 theme is 'Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value.' The focus is all about affirming the rights, …
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One month to go: know your rights before the Renters’ Rights Act kicks in
In just one month’s time, a major shake‑up of the private rented sector comes into force. From 1 May 2026, the new Renters’ Rights Act will give 11 million renters stronger protections, fairer rules and greater security in their homes. …
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Growing trees and farming together for nature recovery – new agroforestry principles launched
By Alisa Swanson, Natural England Agroforestry — the practice of combining trees with farming — is gaining renewed momentum as a practical way to increase tree cover and restore nature without sacrificing productive land. This post explores how Natural England …