GOV.UK blogs

Trend Deck – evidence of future change for UK policy makers

The Government Office for Science Futures team provides a suite of futures resources to help UK government officials and others develop policies and strategies that create long-term benefits for society. Informed by the UK cross-government horizon scanning community, Trend Deck …

Breaking through the grade barrier: how can you get promoted in the Civil Service?

Colleagues share their tips for career progression and promotion

Making all forms on GOV.UK accessible, easy to use and quick to process

The Collecting Information From Users team explains how their project will help to tackle the long tail of PDF forms on GOV.UK, and how you can get involved.

Smoking attributable deaths in England: When the information changes

New estimates on the deaths and hospital admissions caused by smoking are around 15% lower than previously published but what does this tell us about smoking in England?

Spotlight on APHA’s zoonotic disease research

The 6th of July marks World Zoonoses Day - an opportunity to raise awareness of those diseases that affect both humans and animals. The origin of diseases has been on everyone’s mind over the past 18 months, particularly those that cause epidemics. Here Dr. Nick Johnson of the newly formed Vector-Borne Diseases group within APHA’s Virology Department discusses what a zoonosis is and what APHAs role is in responding to them.

Are you a part time member of staff in the North West of England?

We will be launching our next Reach programme on 21 September 2021. The CS Local North West Reach programmes are for AA, AO, EO or HEO part time and/or term time workers and are designed to help encourage staff to reach their full potential.

Securing loads and maintaining safe roads

Guidance for drivers and operators on load security.

B-SEN Speaker Series: Making the Oxford AstraZeneca Vaccine

Find out more about the next B-SEN Speakers Series discussing the development of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine in the early days of 2020. The event is on the 14th July, 15:00 - 16:00.

Podcast: Powering decisions with data

In the latest episode of our podcast hear how we're harnessing the power of data to improve our services.

Our Growing Community

As the Going Forward into Employment community continues to grow, we meet some of those people who have set up schemes over the last year. Glenda Devonald launched a life chances scheme in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial …

Dragons’ Den, Episode 13, Series 18

Peter Jones returned to the Den with renewed vigour this evening after his period of absence. From an app that tracks carbon footprint, to reduced-sugar jams and a patented pooper-scooper, the Den was set alight with intellectual property…but which inventions had the Dragons chomping at the bit?

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: invisible disabilities

A look at a creative way to engage colleagues in thinking about hidden disabilities.

Designing a national booking service for COVID-19 vaccination appointments

The team behind the COVID-19 vaccination booking service shares how it developed an inclusive service that works for all users in a short time.

Take 5 Minutes - and Help Beat Meeting Fatigue

Adrian Chesson offers some simple tips on how taking just five minutes can create a little bit of space to give a big boost to your wellbeing.  I am proud to be part of a team here at the Office …

Message from Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to NHS staff

Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, offers his thanks and support to all those working in the NHS.

CDEI convenes expert group to advise on Online Safety Data Initiative project

The Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) takes the lead on this blog, talking us through its process for convening the Online Harms Expert Group: a multi-disciplinary group of academics, civil society, technologists and regulators who are providing advice and challenge to the Online Safety Data Initiative (OSDI).

Interim Office for Environmental Protection launches

Today we look at coverage of the launch of the Interim Office for Environmental Protection.

Cancer Research UK’s role in supporting health professionals on informed choice in NHS screening

In this guest blog, CRUK explains how health professionals have an important role to play in supporting people to make an informed choice to access cancer screening.

Using applications to help us collect data on wild animals

In this blog Graham Smith, Lead Scientist for Wildlife, describes how APHA has been involved in developing new technology to help experts and the general public monitor mammal populations across Europe, and how you could get involved to build the database of wildlife records.

If a pupil tests positive, does their whole class or year group or other bubble then have to isolate as well?

It will not always be the case that the whole year group or bubble has to isolate if a pupil in that bubble tests positive for COVID-19. Our guidance is clear that schools should be identifying close contacts of positive …

Taking decisive action on illegal vehicle breakers

Delphine Dauba-Pantanacce, Director, Legal Counsel, Global Regulatory at eBay, discusses the work the online marketplace is doing with the Environment Agency to educate sellers of used vehicle parts.   Now more than ever, customers are looking for affordable but environmentally conscious …

Meet the UK NSC: Bob Steele, chair

In the first in a series of profiles of UK NSC members, we hear from the chair, Professor Bob Steele.

Developing accessible services: ‘It’s a team sport’

Find out how the Accessibility and Digital Inclusion team work closely with colleagues including software engineers to ensure our services can be accessed by all.

DVLA develops new fast online tachograph service for drivers

Lorry and bus drivers can now apply for a tachograph card using DVLA’s new online service. Dudley Ashford, Evolve Programme Manager, takes us behind the scenes on the development of this service.

In conversation with: The Insolvency Service

Jane Walters from Companies House and Neil Freebury from The Insolvency Service discuss efforts to tackle fraud and criminal activity in the UK business sector.

Comments on the Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform (TIGRR) report

RPC Chair Stephen Gibson comments on the Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform (TIGRR) report.

Care leavers – please give us your views!

Dr Donna Brown, Head of Research, on our care leavers survey and forthcoming research project.

Automating for the people

Dave More from Defra’s Digital Robotics Automation Centre of Excellence (DRACoE) shares his reflections on a year which has seen his team turn a fledgling robotics capability from concept to reality.

Collaborating in government: what an Alpha means in practice

Teams from CDDO and UKEF have been building capability and meeting government standards as they go. In this post they talk about how they did this in practice.

NIPT rolls out to all areas of England as part of the existing NHS screening pathway for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome

All maternity providers across England are now offering non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as part of the existing NHS screening pathway for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome.

The path to better customer service starts with listening, understanding and acting on feedback

Dan Cawdron, Customer Insights Lead, presents the results of the recent Institute of Customer Service business benchmarking, and looks at what the results mean for the organisation, the action we are going to take and what’s next.

The night sky in July

  Even though the shorter nights prevail for the next couple of months, the summer months are a great opportunity to see many of the most exciting astronomical sights. Noctilucent clouds, the core of our Milky Way galaxy, the summer …

Fitzrovia Noir CIC - broadening access to the arts

Read our latest blog to find out how Fitzrovia Noir CIC are engaging communities and broadening access to the arts in neglected neighbourhoods across London and North East England.

Unlocking learning recovery through professional development

There are no shortcuts to accelerate learning recovery for eight million young people. Having an expert teacher in every classroom, well trained and continually improving, led effectively from the top is the best way to make sure that every pupil gets a great education. Which is why the National Professional Qualifications represent an exciting opportunity for teachers and leaders.

Environment Secretary shared more detail on Agricultural Transition Plan

There has been national and trade coverage in titles such as The Sun, Farming Today, Horticulture Week and Farmers Weekly following the Secretary of State’s speech at Cereals arable industry conference yesterday.

We're hiring a Director of Technology

We need a Director of Technology to be part of our team – a new Senior Civil Service role centred on technology, using it to deliver, operate and transform. Emma Stace explains what this entails, the types of skills needed and what's in it for applicants.

Care Home Open Week: a chance to share happiness

COVID-19 has led to many changes in the way residential care is provided and the way care colleagues work together. One thing that hasn’t changed is the sense of family and community within Priscilla Wakefield House, a teaching care home in Haringey, north London.

Despite the outside world being turned up-side-down, care staff have succeeded in keeping a sense of normality, and making sure residents continue to enjoy laughter and fun.

Moving forward as one: creating a unified digital function

As BPDTS and DWP Digital come together to create a unified digital function, our CDIO Simon McKinnon has shared his thoughts on why this is the right time for us to move forward as one.

Join our next Junior Leaders Networking Event - The Power of Mentoring

Join our latest Junior Leaders Networking Event on 20 July to learn about the power of mentoring. JLNE is aimed at colleagues in the AO to EO grades from across government departments. It operates across the East, South East and London.

Gavin Williamson: Restrictions in schools - including bubbles - to be removed "as quickly as possible"

Today Education Secretary Gavin Williamson set out his plans to reduce the amount of time pupils spend isolating away from school. He said he wants to see the removal of all restrictions in schools - including bubbles - as soon …