GOV.UK blogs

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 …

Manufacture of Investigational Medicinal Products – Frequently Asked Questions

GMP and GCP Inspectors work closely with MHRA Clinical Trials and regularly provide support to help answer a wide range of stakeholder queries which relate to the manufacture, import, labelling, licencing requirements and general handling of Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs). …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

APHA Weybridge team wins Nobel House Prize for avian influenza outbreak response

Our APHA Weybridge science team that provided rapid science evidence informing disease control policy for 2021/22 avian influenza outbreak, which is continuing, has been made joint winner of the Nobel House Prize.

Defra’s Trees and Forestry team – looking back at a busy year

Bella Murfin and Naomi Matthiessen, job share Directors for the Nature for Climate Fund Tree Programme in Defra, reflect on the last 6 months delivering the Government’s commitment to treble tree planting in England by the end of 2025.

Changes to the way we report on COVID-19 deaths

We are changing the way we present COVID-19 death statistics on the GOV.UK COVID-19 Dashboard. “Deaths with COVID-19 on the death registration” will replace “deaths within 28 days of a positive test” as the primary reported COVID-19 death statistic. 
This blog explains why we are making changes to how we present data on COVID-19 deaths. 

Remote education – when can school children learn from home and how should they do it?

We know children learn best when they are at school, surrounded by their friends and teachers. Attendance is essential for pupils to get the most out of their school experience. There may, however, be times when a pupil is unable …

To catch a thief

We know there are people out there who see the waste industry as a route to make a fast buck. But we are on a mission to stop them to protect the environment, support the legitimate waste management industry and …

New look for Roll of Honour service

The Armed Forces Memorial Roll of Honour service has been modernised. It is a searchable, electronic record, which contains the names of all UK Armed Forces personnel who have died during their service, since 1948, regardless of the cause of …

Applications for the Royal Society Pairing Scheme are now open

Do you want to have the opportunity to: Expand networks Improve your knowledge of research in government Discover how the research community can support you in your day-to-day work. Then the Royal Society Pairing Scheme is for you! This annual …

Introducing You To...

Hi, I’m Carrie Smith and I’m an External Affairs Manager with RPA, based at the York office. I’ve worked for RPA since 2014 when the work area I was part of at the time (Rural Development) moved into RPA from …

Helping businesses comply with the Funerals Order

To ensure funeral directors and crematorium operators comply with the Funerals Order, we’ve published new guidance. We’re also now starting to take enforcement action to resolve compliance issues we’ve identified.   The Funerals Order Anybody who has had to arrange a …

NHSBSA Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) patients alpha assessment

Read the alpha report for the Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) patients from NHSBSA

Dragons’ Den, Episode 4, Series 20

In this week’s episode we got to see a disco in the Den, business models of the future, partnerships popping up and firm rejections.

Managing infections - don’t forget about the indoor air in your care home

As winter takes hold, it is tempting to try and keep residents warm and fuel costs lower by hunkering down until the weather gets warmer. But keeping all the windows and doors shut may not be the best idea: homes need ventilation and care homes are no different. Professor Cath Noakes and fellow experts give the reasons a good airing...

Coverage of details on support for farmers who deliver food production and environmental action

Today, there has been widespread coverage on the front page of the Guardian, as well as in the Financial Times, BBC Online, the Independent, the Evening Standard, the Daily Telegraph the Daily Star, and trade coverage in Farmers Weekly, Horticulture …

Low Pay Commission regional visits 2023 – Your chance to be heard

Low Pay Commissioners will be meeting workers and businesses across the UK, on six regional visits. This is your chance to let us know how you are affected by the minimum wage. If you want to participate, get in touch …

Environmental land management schemes: details of actions and payments

We recently published more information on the rollout of our environmental land management schemes. It includes the full range of actions, payment rates and when they’ll be available. This post gives a scheme-by-scheme summary.