GOV.UK blogs

National Social Work Week and a worldwide day of recognition

The most important week in the social work calendar has arrived. National Social Work Week, incorporating World Social Work Day, gives us an extended opportunity to reflect on recent history, assess the current state of our practice and ask the question ‘What next for modern, progressive, person-centred social work?’

Attracting, recruiting and retaining staff

How to attract, recruit and retain staff is the topic of this blog. We look at the importance of the employee value proposition, and see what’s on offer in different parts of the Civil Service and public sector.

Government backs Ofwat’s announcement on water company dividends

Today, we are looking at coverage of Ofwat’s announcement of new powers to take enforcement action against water companies that do not link dividend payments to performance.

HMCTS reform: achievements, challenges and next steps

Our CEO Nick Goodwin gives an update on our reform progress so far.

Helping schools and trusts to buy goods and services

Kevin Draisey, Head of Procurement Operations, updates us on Get help buying for schools, and how state-funded schools and trusts can get the most out of this free service.

The Civil Service Data Challenge Final is coming soon

The Civil Service Data Challenge final is this week. The Challenge is a fantastic collaboration between Cabinet Office, Global Government Forum, NTT DATA and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) - read more in our latest CDDO blog.

On the ball – the year Six Nations rugby got smarter

While we wait to see who will bring home the trophy let’s look at how far what started as a humble pig’s bladder has come.

Norovirus: Information for parents, schools, and early years providers if a child is sick

Cases of norovirus are on the rise, with outbreaks in nurseries and other early year settings returning to near pre-pandemic levels in February. For most people, it’s an unpleasant and short-lived illness, but if your child is showing symptoms of …

UK Space Agency’s first Space Investment Forum

UK Space Agency Future Markets Lead, Daniel Jones writes about chairing the Agency’s first Space Investment Forum on Tuesday 16th May at the Institute of Directors in London.

Exciting opportunities to join one of the UK NSC’s expert groups

Apply for one of 12 exciting vacancies in the expert reference groups that support the UK National Screening Committee.

“As a mother, I’m really proud to work in the Prison Service”

Officer Phillips has enjoyed a rewarding career in the Prison Service over the past 25 years. She shares her story with us and tells us why she loves her job. Early in my career, I worked in a nursery. And …

Dragons' Den, Episode 11 Series 20

Intellectual property played a key part in the decisions made in the Den this week, with the Dragons ever keen to know more about how the entrepreneurs had protected their businesses. 

Construction and the built environment: Amelia's journey

Hello, my name is Amelia Russell and I am a Product Manager in the Construction and Built Environment Team at the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). My current role is to support the development of technical education products …

Update on the Hen Harrier Brood Management Trial

By John Holmes, Strategy Director, Natural England Natural England is involved in several initiatives under the Hen Harrier Action Plan, one of which is the brood management trial. Brood management involves taking the eggs or chicks of some Hen Harriers …

Discover our 'Trees on Farms' podcast mini-series

Jon Burgess, a Local Partnership Advisor and Woodland Resilience Officer in the South West, provides a quick round up of the 'Trees on Farms' mini-series created with Ben Eagle, and reflects on being a co-host on the Forestry Commission’s first foray into podcasting.

Veya’s use of HM Land Registry data to speed up property transactions

Taking part in the Geovation programme was a pivotal moment for Veya, which provides analysis of HM Land Registry title deeds. Founder Jason Howarth tells us how far the firm has come.

How to be an LGBTQ+ ally all year round

A lot of our diverse communities have different points in the year where things are celebrated, whether that's faith around a religious holiday, history or reflective months. Whilst that can be used as an opportunity to really show that a senior leader and the senior leadership team are really behind the community – this needs to leak out over the rest of the year.

We spoke to Mike about how to be an LGBTQ+ ally all year round.

British Science Week | Meet Sarah Wallace

To celebrate British Science Week, we sat down with members of the UKStratCom Climate Change and Sustainability Team (CC&S) to learn a little more about their career, their motivations for working in CC&S, and the importance of understanding our connection …

Working with European partners to reduce the risk of pathogens entering the food chain

Learn how our scientists joined forces with experts in 12 European countries to reduce the spread of Salmonella and hepatitis E virus in pigs and their work to help limit the risk to public health.

Celebrating neurodiverse superpowers

This month will be all about celebrating those with neurodiverse superpowers. This will be an opportunity to champion our own neurodiverse talent at GDS and find out how we can work together to leverage it and at the same time level up for everyone in the organisation.

The CCE hosts international conference focused on extremism across Europe

Earlier this month, the Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) hosted a conference on counterterrorism and counter-extremism threats facing Europe. The keynote speech was delivered by the Home Secretary, Rt Hon. Suella Braverman KC MP, who discussed the recent publication of …

Major strategy milestone achieved as flood warning service expands to 110,000 more homes and businesses

Flood warnings are now available for 110,000 additional homes and businesses following a major effort to ensure all properties at high risk of flooding can receive them. Many properties previously considered too remote, rural, or difficult to warn of flooding, …

Respecting the coarse fish close season and why we enforce it

Kye Jerrom, Senior Advisor for Fisheries Enforcement and Engagement, looks back on a year of Environment Agency fisheries enforcement and shares why the coarse fishing close season is vital in protecting fish stocks.

Young Carers Action Day - 15 March 2023

Rebecca Sudworth, Deputy Civil Service Carers’ Lead, talks about the experiences of Civil Service young carers  Today is Young Carers Action Day. This year’s theme is Make Time for Young Carers. Many young carers don’t necessarily think of themselves as carers. …

Make time for young carers

Young Carers Action Day aims to shine a light on the pressures and challenges young carers up to the age of 25 face on a daily basis. The UK-wide campaign is designed to raise public awareness of the incredible contribution they make to society. A mix of local and national initiatives are taking place across the country to help their voices be heard, as Carers Trust's Andy McGowan explains...

Coverage of new microchipping rules for cats

There has been coverage today in the Daily Express (p2), Mail Online, Independent, LBC Online, Vet Times and Yorkshire Post (p9) on the introduction of compulsory cat microchipping. To mark the launch, Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey visited Battersea Dogs and …

Nature on Dartmoor

Reflections from Wes Smyth, Natural England’s Area Manager on how we ensure Dartmoor’s unique wildlife is preserved for future generations. Dartmoor is special, a working landscape with wide open moorland framed by steep intimate wooded valleys and a pastoral moorland …

Benefits of a collaborative approach

Blake Morgan LLP has one of the lowest avoidable requisition rates in the sector. Find out how we work together to ensure its often highly complex cases are processed as smoothly and easily as possible.

Window opens for Countryside and Environmental Stewardship revenue claims

You can now submit 2023 revenue claims for CS and ES agreements.  Starting from this year, we’ve made the way you submit your CS revenue claim online more straightforward. An annual declaration will be available in the Rural Payments service …

Window opens for Basic Payment Scheme applications

You can now submit your 2023 BPS applications to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).   Everything you’ll need to apply for BPS this year is now available on GOV.UK including the Basic Payment Scheme rules for 2023: Basic Payment Scheme 2023 …

Collaborative learning: closer ties with academia

GDS x Imperial University Collaboration 2022 Collaboration and innovation are some of the key tenets of the Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) profession. The Cabinet Office offers many avenues for productive collaboration, enabling internal and external partners to develop both …

National Institute for Health and Care Research Health Protection Research Units: Where research meets real life

Throughout British Science Week we are exploring this year’s theme of ‘connections’ by showcasing some of the vital partnerships that underpin UKHSA’s work. In this blog we look at our partnerships with academia through the National Institute for Health and Care (NIHR) Health Protection Research Units (HPRUs).

British Science Week - a day in the life of an FSA scientist

"There is a place in science for everybody!" Find out about what drove Dr Erica Kintz, Dr Sophie Hardy, and Mike Dickinson to careers in science and what they get up to in their day jobs at the Food Standards Agency.

British Science Week | Meet Jonathan Slessor

To celebrate British Science Week, we sat down with members of the UKStratCom Climate Change and Sustainability Team (CC&S) to learn a little more about their careers, their motivations for working in CC&S, and the importance of understanding our connection …

How Cefas science is supporting sustainable fisheries management in the High Seas

The High Seas are areas of the ocean beyond any country's territorial control and make up almost two thirds of the world’s oceans. These areas are at a greater risk of exploitation as countries are able to move, fish and …

How we're working to transform government services

Find out how the Central Digital and Data Office are collaborating across government to define and deliver great services.

Services Week 2023

Services Week returns next week 20 to 24 March 2023. It’s an annual cross-organisational event series focused on improving public services. The theme for this year is Designing for Uncertain Times.

Coverage following Wild Isles documentary

Today, we are looking at coverage following the airing of the first episode of BBC Wild Isles.

Nursing associate stories: a journey of personal discovery

Student Nursing Associate, Mercy Sharp, 52, was born in the Philippines and moved to England in 2007. She has worked at Royal Star & Garter in High Wycombe, since the care home opened in 2019. She is nearing the end of her nursing associate course, which she began in 2020. Royal Star & Garter is a charity providing compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia.

Empowering young people with science information that can protect the nation’s health

This year’s British Science Week theme is “connections” and throughout the week we’re looking at how UKHSA science is carried out in partnership with a wide range of organisations. In this blog UKHSA’s Donna Lecky and Brieze Read discuss partnering with schools through our e-Bug programme which educates young people on infection, prevention and control and how to prevent antimicrobial resistance.