8182posts
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Improving support for children going to court as witnesses
We’ve launched animated video guides to support children going to court and improve the experience for the most vulnerable.
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8 tips for a great Civil Service application
Our work makes a real difference to society, and we’re looking for talented people who can put the public at the heart of what they do. We’re recruiting for a number of roles in the Construction Products team, we also need Business Compliance Team Leaders, Business Compliance Officers, and more.
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Coverage on South West Water’s record £2.1 million
Today, we are looking at coverage following South West Water’s prosecution yesterday (26 April), which saw the company fined more than £2 million.
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NHS workforce: Record numbers of doctors and nurses in NHS
*Updated 27 April* There are a record number of doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff working in NHS trusts in England helping to deliver extra appointments, speed up diagnoses and tackle the Covid backlog. This is what you need to …
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Girl Power: Why we chose a career in ICT
On International Day of Girls in ICT we hear from two colleagues about why and how they have built a tech career in Defra.
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Expanding the UK’s Sovereign Sensor Network to the British Antarctic Territory and Beyond
The UK Space Agency Space Surveillance and Tracking team is collaborating with the British Antarctic Survey on a study exploring the feasibility of building and operating a satellite tracking sensor in the British Antarctic Territory.
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What is a trustee and how to become one?
The Big Help Out aims to help people experience volunteering and make a difference in their communities. Getting On Board and the Charity Commission are here to support. Volunteering can be incredibly rewarding, and there are many ways in which …
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Taking a digital approach to the COVID infection survey
Set up in April 2020, the COVID-19 Infection Survey, led by the Office for National Statistics in partnership with the University of Oxford and the UK Health Security Agency, tracked the rates of COVID-19 infections, reinfections, and levels of immunity in the general population. This blog shares our digital approach, some of the insights, and …
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ERS – A tale of two trainers
Mark Jaffe and Mike Desmond, both Enhanced Rider Scheme (ERS) trainers, discuss delivering ERS training, the benefits the scheme brings to riders skills and how it improves their pupils confidence. As part of our commitment to a lifetime of safe riding, we want to encourage people who have passed their full test to keep improving …
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STEM CHALLENGE: 2023
A schools outreach initiative aiming to inspire secondary school students to get involved in science and policy making The GSE Profession, in collaboration with Civil Service Fast Streamers, is proud to announce the launch of the STEM Challenge 2023. Running …
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Coverage on pledge to enshrine storm overflow target in law
Today, we are looking at coverage following our announcement that the government's target to reduce storm overflows will be enshrined in law.
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Toddle Born Wild: ‘big innovation for little hands’
Dragons' Den entrepreneur Hannah Saunders, creator of Toddle Born Wild, a range of ethically-sourced, eco-friendly products for children, tells us how registering her IP has helped her protect and grow her business.
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Managing intellectual property and confidentiality - GOTT's top 5 takeaways
Read our top 5 takeaways from GOTT's 'Managing intellectual property and confidentiality' guide
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MoJ Digital Strategy: One Year On
One year ago, we launched the MoJ’s Digital Strategy. It was unusual in that it was a sum of a number (over 40) of existing strategies rather than a top down strategy based on a vision of a future. We …
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Energy management: Smart meters – helping you make better informed decisions about energy use
In this blog post, Kathryn Swanson, DfE Project Manager, explains more about how smart meters could help you better understand and manage energy use in you school or trust.
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UK government support for resettled Afghans in bridging accommodation factsheet – September 2023
We stand by the people of Afghanistan. Through Op Pitting we undertook the largest and fastest emergency evacuation in recent history to help thousands of people to safety. The UK made an ambitious and generous commitment to help resettle those …
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A day in the life - IPA Leadership and Learning Coordinator
Lyle Anderson tells us about a typical day as a Leadership and Learning Coordinator and why he chose to work in government learning and development. I am a Leadership & Learning Coordinator at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) and …
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A – Z of terms used in bankruptcy
If you can’t pay your debts, there are various solutions that can help, ranging from: informal solutions like a consolidation loan or a debt management plan to formal like a debt relief order, individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) or bankruptcy. One …
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Protecting your children through vaccination
Vaccines save lives. This blog looks at the free NHS vaccination programme and why it's so important to get vaccinated and catch up on missed vaccines.
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Earth Day 2023 Protecting our planet: The Role of the Office for Product Safety and Standards
As we approach Earth Day, it's a time for us to reflect on our impact on the planet and the steps we can take to protect it.
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Landowner sentenced to 12 months in prison for destruction on the River Lugg, Herefordshire
Today we are looking at media coverage following the sentencing of a landowner for causing destruction along the River Lugg in Herefordshire.
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When experience and policy creation meet
Social worker, Gavin Wilson, provides a positive account of his secondment to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) as Lead Analyst in the 'fair cost of care' policy team.
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Millions for fight against veteran homelessness
Up to £8million of funding is now available from the Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA) to help tackle the issue of veterans' homelessness. Charities and organisations are now able to bid for up to £1.5million to provide wraparound support, with …
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Combating modern slavery through artificial intelligence
Last month, CDDO's Chief Executive joined the judging panel for the Civil Service Data Challenge final. The challenge which brings civil servants from across government together to design and pitch innovative ideas for the use of data to solve some of the UK’s biggest challenges. Read more about the winning idea.
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The scale reveals all: How do you age a fish?
We all know that to age a tree, you count the rings, but have you ever wondered how to age a fish? Or perhaps how long different species can survive for, given the right conditions? Well it’s also a bit like ageing a tree, except you count specific rings on the fish’s scale.
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Future proofing care
Three years ago, at the start of the pandemic, we began an ambitious project to send thousands of iPads out to care homes. We wanted to make sure staff and residents could stay in contact with health professionals, friends and family. Fast forward to now, and we have a major programme underway, with a commitment …
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Join the Data and Technology Insight team at the CMA
The Data and Technology Insight team (DTI) provides technical advice and insight on investigations at the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). We also do proactive work to understand the implications of technologies and trends for consumers and markets. Find out …
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Nature Recovery: led by evidence. Chief Scientist Report 2022
Dr Tim Hill, Chief Scientist at Natural England, tells us about the publication of Natural England’s fifth Chief Scientist Report. Never before has good quality science, evidence and analysis on environmental change been so important for nature, society and the …
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Working during the month of Ramadan
As the month of Ramadan draws to a close we spoke to Samir about his personal experience of working during this important spiritual time for Muslims and asked him how we can better help and support our colleagues during this time.
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Following in mum's footsteps: Working as an OSG
Working as an operational support grade (OSG) is varied and rewarding. It can open opportunities to develop and progress in the Prison Service. Amber-jay, who works at HMP The Mount, tells us about her experience. Applying to work at a …
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Things we don’t talk about enough: the impact of eating disorders on men
The theme of the 2023 Eating Disorders Awareness Week was ‘men’ to underline the damaging impacts of eating disorders often endured by them. Warning: This blog discusses eating disorders so it might be triggering for some people. If you need support, …
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How staff-to-child ratios work
This blog was updated in September 2025 to reflect changes to the EYFS paragraph numbers. The Chancellor recently announced an optional change to childcare ratios from 1:4 to 1:5 for two-year-old children. This change applies from September 2023. All other …
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GSE Leadership Values: Decisive
As a scientist whose career has primarily been to lead innovative activities in academia, industry and government, where there is often a multitude of alternative directions you could take, being decisive and taking a course of action has been critical to …
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Improving mileage recording errors in the MOT Testing Service
Every year, we receive over 14,000 requests to correct MOT mileage readings through our contact centre and directly via GOV.UK. Incorrect readings can go unnoticed by vehicle owners at the time of test. But at the point of trying to …
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Covid spring booster 2023: Everything you need to know
Five million eligible people, including over 75s and those aged five and over with a weakened immune system, are now able to book their spring Covid vaccine booster. Here’s everything you need to know about the rollout. Am I eligible …
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Apply for a Water Management grant
You can now apply for a Water Management grant. In this post, I'll give a recap of the grant and the links you'll need to get started. I'll also include a video of the webinar we recently held.
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World IP Day 2023: Improving the representation of women in IP
The IPO is part of an international taskforce set up by the USPTO to improve the representation of women in IP. Nicola Smith, our Diversity and Inclusion Cultural Advisor, told us about her recent visit to join taskforce members.
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Strike action to affect travellers and goods entering the UK on 28 April 2023
The Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union has announced Civil Service industrial action that will impact Border Force operations. Travellers who are planning to enter the UK on 28 April 2023 may face longer wait times at border control. Travellers …
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Road-testing our new investment guidance
Update (1 August 2023): Our refreshed investment guidance has been published. Read Investing charity money: guidance for trustees. A key priority for the Commission is to support trustees in managing their charities well. One of the ways in which we …
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The Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness has been updated
Today, 18 April 2023, we've updated the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness. It will still give you advice on different types of inspection, the inspection intervals, data storage, and essential reviews. We have been working with the industry to make changes that will improve guidance …