8482posts
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Everyone needs that loving feeling (and training)
I am delighted to introduce Dr Claire Bates as the guest blogger today. Claire and her team have created a fantastic piece of work to support best practice, making sure sexuality and relationship needs are appropriately addressed and rights upheld. It's an excellent resource!
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How to amend a hedge linear feature and make a land cover change
In the latest blog in our series about the RPA mapping process and how to carry out mapping-related tasks ahead of scheme applications, this blog will guide you through using a map to make amendments to hedge linear features, making …
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Tackling our terminology
[English] - [Cymraeg] We know that some of the words and phrases we use can be confusing. As an attorney, donor, deputy, or organisation you will come across our terminology in our forms, guidance documents, letters and through our online …
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Social care superpowers
The #SocialCareSuperpower campaign aims to shine a spotlight on care colleagues with extraordinary skills who make a valuable difference to the lives of those they care for. Find out more.
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Chair's stakeholder update - Call for evidence on new free trade agreement
We have launched an open call for evidence on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Our Chair, Prof. Susan Jebb shares how you can have your say.
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Landowners warned not to be victims at the hands of waste criminals
By Sharon Owen, Senior Environmental Crime Officer My role as a Senior Environmental Crime Officer is to prevent, disrupt and stop criminal operations. I have been fighting crime for the last 41 years. In that time, I have seen first-hand …
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Meet the IPO Board: Finance Director Neil Hartley
Next in our ‘Meet the IPO Board’ series, we chat with Neil Hartley. We hear about the challenges in his role as Finance Director – at one time not just for one organisation, but for two, simultaneously! Read on to find out more.
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Coverage of update to extended producer responsibility scheme
There has been coverage in the Financial Times, the Telegraph, The Times and i News following our announcement providing further details on the extended producer responsibility for packaging scheme. The announcement confirmed that, following extensive engagement with industry, and in …
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What we have achieved at agricultural shows this summer
Agricultural shows are the highlight of farming calendars across the country. Since May, Defra ministers have travelled to 16 different shows in every nation and region of the UK , speaking to farmers and land managers about our new farming …
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Enabling AWS cross account monitoring using Terraform
In this technical blog post, we describe how to set up AWS cross account monitoring exclusively in Terraform.
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RPA To Make BPS Advance Payments In August
In 2022, we made Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments in two instalments to support farmers and landowners at a time of increased pressure on cash flow. Advance payments of up to 50% were made from the end of July and …
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SEARCH - the best-in-class tool that will revolutionise patent examiner searches
Stephen Otter, IPO Senior Patent Examiner and Search Tools Manager, gives us the inside story on a powerful new patent search tool launched at the IPO this month that will revolutionise our patent examiner searches.
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Where there’s a digital skill, there’s a way…
When technology is embedded seamlessly into care and support services, it can be transformative: helping people to live happy, fulfilled lives in their homes and communities. Find out more...
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Government Science and Engineering Profession Recognition Week 2023
Professional Recognition Offer re-launch The Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Profession is excited to relaunch our GSE Professional Recognition Offer, with Professional Recognition Week taking place 25 to 29 September 2023. The Professional Recognition offer provides GSE members with bespoke …
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Global space agencies return to London for NASA 's Moon to Mars Architecture Workshop
In June, the UK Space Agency partnered with NASA to host a workshop exploring Moon to Mars Architecture in London.
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Transforming for a Digital Future - one year update
A year on from the launch of the Transforming for a Digital Future strategy, Sam Lawler, Deputy Director, Strategy, Analysis and Reform at CDDO shares highlights and learnings so far.
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Celebrating our GIAA Insights engine
We're all rather excited in GIAA this week as we're celebrating the first anniversary of launching our Insights Engine! "What is an insights engine?" you may well ask. Let us explain ... Have you ever had a pile of documents …
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Helping you to carry out realistic mock driving tests
Last Friday (22 July 2023) marked 13 months to the day since we first published guidance to help you carry out realistic mock driving tests for your pupils. Our latest blog post looks at the top 13 facts from the first 13 months of the mock test guidance.
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Dr Collin Willson wins RCVS Impact Award
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has long been proud of all of its vets and the vital work they do. The challenge has been that this work protecting public health, animal health & welfare and underpinning international trade often goes …
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A mixed-methods approach to co-designing Seabass regulations
The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Welsh Government have just launched a public consultation ahead of a new Fisheries Management Plan for Seabass. Policy Lab partnered with them in the lead up to a formal …
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Drones, festivals, and coding competitions – an update on DVLA’s STEM programme
STEM ambassador, Karen Pitt provides an update on DVLA’s STEM volunteer programme and looks ahead to Code Challenge 2023.
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UKHSA strategic plan: Addressing health threats, saving lives, protecting livelihoods
Wherever we look - locally, nationally, internationally - hazards to our health are all around us. UKHSA was established to meet these challenges head on, preparing for health threats, preventing them if we can and responding effectively in order to save lives and protect livelihoods. Today I’m pleased to introduce our work in more detail …
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Honour stories: social care's power of change
I am incredibly humbled and honoured to have been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for my contributions to personalisation, disability, social care, and health policy. This blog is a reflection of my journey and an exploration of why it is crucial to recognise people involved in social care.
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Defibrillators: All state schools now have lifesaving equipment
Having access to defibrillators in schools drastically increases the chance of pupils, teachers and visitors surviving a cardiac arrest. Teachers and pupils across the country can be reassured they will have access to this life saving equipment, as all state …
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EA at Plastics Future 2023 – sharing creative approaches to end plastic pollution
To celebrate Plastic Free July, Victoria Prowse and Helen Powers from the East Midlands Regulated Industry team write about their recent talk at the Plastics Future 2023 conference at Plymouth University.
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Care plans with added technology
Social workers are playing an increasingly vital role in the use of technology within adult social care. They offer a unique perspective, one that holds technology to account to the standards, ethics and practices they themselves adhere to. Find out more in this week's guest blog...
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Funding applications now open for high-growth agri-tech businesses
We are pleased to say that applications are now open for the £5 million Farming Innovation Investor Partnership competition with Innovate UK. The application window will remain open for 6 weeks until 30 August and there is a briefing session for potential applicants on 25 July. In this post we will give you a recap …
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Coverage on new protected status for Single Malt Welsh Whisky
Today we are looking at coverage of our announcement that Single Malt Welsh Whisky has received protected status.
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Advertising and labelling unauthorised veterinary medicines manufactured for use under the cascade (Extemporaneous Preparations)
Lee Grist, Head of Distribution and Supply, and James Garrity from our Legislation Office explain what manufacturers can and can’t do when advertising and labelling extemporaneous preparations (also known as ‘specials’) manufactured for use under the cascade. Manufacturers cannot advertise …
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Proving letting information for self-catering holiday lets
In this blog we look at why the Valuation Office Agency needs your letting information and when you should provide this.
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Update on the evaluative rollout of NIPT in England
Update on the evaluative rollout of non-invasive prenatal testing in the existing NHS screening programme for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome in England.
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Why it’s important for me to make time for self-care
On International Self-Care Day Sarah Hoy explores what self-care means to her, and considers how each of us can try to improve our health.
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How Natural England is working to achieve the government's nature targets
As the government’s statutory advisor on nature conservation, Natural England is charged by the government to achieve its ambitious targets. We do this through advice to businesses, delivery projects with partners, grant funding and by regulation backed by UK legislation. …
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Women’s Reproductive Health: Ending period stigma in the construction sector
To mark the one year anniversary of the landmark Women’s Health Strategy for England, the Equality Hub is hosting the first of a series of roundtables with businesses, to identify what good support looks like for women experiencing health issues …
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And the winner of the RCVS Impact Award is... Collin Willson!
Earlier this month Collin Willson, Animal Welfare Veterinary Lead for the FSA in Wales, won the Impact Award from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. It recognises his long and impactful career in veterinary public health and food safety.
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Report highlights a busy year of firsts for the UK NSC
Annual report published summarising the work and achievements of the UK NSC in the first year under its expanded remit.
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Unlocking the power of volunteering: Civil servants embrace team volunteering days
Jessica Jones and Jade Woodger-Bassford, placement students within the Environmental Services Team, share the story of their volunteering experience, showcasing the immense potential for civil servants to create positive change and strengthen their commitment to public service.
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Asian hornets identified in Dover
Today we are looking at media coverage on our announcement regarding confirmed sightings of Asian hornets in Dover
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The Environmental Improvement Plan: 40 Achievements Driving Sustainable Progress
Today, we look at key actions the government has taken to deliver on vital environmental objectives.
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Coverage of the launch of six new Nature Recovery Projects
Today, we look at coverage following the launch of six new Nature Recovery Projects by Natural England and the government.