7368posts
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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 …
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 …
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Environmental Audit Committee - Biodiversity Report
Today's blog looks at media coverage of a report by the Environmental Audit Committee on biodiversity and ecosystems.
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Why we’re looking forward to Hack2Work
DWP Digital’s fifth hack is taking place from 6 – 8 July. Here, 2 DWP colleagues share why they’re looking forward to taking part in Hack2Work.
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The early years sector – a changing picture
Yvette Stanley, our National Director for Regulation and Social Care, and Jason Bradbury, Deputy Director, Data and Insight, discuss our latest early years and childcare statistics.
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Podcast: The vision for GOV.UK and the roadmap to get there
Rachel Tsang and Ross Ferguson discuss how the GOV.UK roadmap will contribute to GDS’s mission of building a simple, joined-up and personalised experience of government for everyone.
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Friendships matter
Andrew Reece, head of the integrated learning disability service for Camden Council, has always struggled with how the social care sector measures ‘what good looks like’, particularly in the context of supporting people with learning disabilities to make and sustain friendships. In this blog for DHSC's Social Care site, he proposes an alternative approach to help everyone get it right.
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Weighing the evidence – a new framework for assessing external evidence
Professor Peter Gregory explains the FSA’s new scientific framework for assessing third party evidence and how it will be used.
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New ‘GRID’ data tool to build a more inclusive Civil Service
This month, Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case and Chief Operating Officer, Alex Chisholm launched A Modern Civil Service. In our series to celebrate the vision, Government Business Services showcases a data analyser to improve recruitment and find the cream of candidates. …
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British IP Day: spotlight on innovation and IP
The Alliance for Intellectual Property (AIP) is a coalition of organisations representing creators and intellectual property (IP) rich businesses. AIP organises an annual British IP Day. Dan Guthrie, Director General of the AIP, tells us more about how the organisation …
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How farmers are helping us to design the first of our environmental land management schemes
In this blog post, I’ll share how we have worked with the farming community to develop the standards for the Sustainable Farming Incentive from 2021.
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Proud to be an ally
Hi, I’m Sandeepka and I'm committed to playing my part in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves. This includes my colleagues from the wider lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community. Inclusion doesn’t just happen by …
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DVLA working with local authorities and police services to take action on unlicensed vehicles
We’ve been working with local authorities and police services to support their enforcement action on untaxed vehicles on the road in their local area. Elaine Rees, National Enforcement Manager, tells us more.
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What you need to know about behaviour and discipline in schools
We’re asking teachers, parents and other school staff for their views and ideas on managing good behaviour in schools and colleges.
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Lay members wanted for antenatal and newborn screening programmes research advisory committee
The research advisory committee (RAC) reviews applications to carry out research involving NHS screening programme participants or requiring access to screening data or samples.
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South West and Wales Men’s Network – Ready for launch
The South West and Wales Men’s Network will be launched on 14 July to celebrate men’s positive contributions to society, not only as civil servants but as fathers, sons, uncles and friends. We would really like you to get involved.
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Beyond the numbers – how our Service Centres are making a real difference
A blog from Zoe Blake, Delivery Director at HMCTS, about how Courts and Tribunals Service Centres are making a real difference to those seeking access to justice.
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A safe place to be yourself
Although anyone can experience mental health issues, those of us who identify as LGBTQ+ are more likely to develop problems including low self-esteem, depression and anxiety. As this month marks Pride Month, Andrew Seed, Integrative Psychotherapist at Cygnet Hospital Ealing, reflects on how creating a safe space for service users and staff is vital to celebrate their gender and sexual identity.
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Innovating to tackle reoffending
Reducing reoffending is the key to cutting crime. But what role can innovation play in tackling this issue? The Prison Leavers Project on how it’s trying new approaches. At the Ministry of Justice, we’re committed to cutting crime and the …
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Scientific input from APHA in key Defra publication
On the 22 June Defra published the refreshed Defra Group Research and Innovation Interests document with input from APHA and other Defra Group Public Sector Research Establishments. Learn more about this key document and APHA’s involvement.
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Natural England licensing statistics for 2020
As explained in my blog in January 2020, Natural England remains committed to making our wildlife licensing statistics publicly available. We published our 2018 and 2019 stats last year. We get a lot of correspondence and public reaction around our …
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Am I proud of LGBTQ+ Pride? My personal thoughts on Pride month
To mark Pride month, content designer Paul Graham shares a personal blog with his thoughts on the annual recognition and celebration of LGBT+ communities.
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How we reduced errors on GOV.UK
All websites run into errors. We’ve reduced our errors by over 90% and changed our culture around errors so they are identified, owned and resolved quickly.
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Discover opportunities within the Counter Fraud Profession
Discover opportunities for civil servants within the Counter Fraud profession by attending our 2 day live online event on 13 and 14 July.
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A decade of progress for the Government Sustainable ICT Project
Defra Chief Digital and Information Officer Chris Howes reflects on the results from the 2020 Sustainable ICT Annual Report and shares his thoughts on where ICT can play its part in addressing the climate crisis.
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Celebrate the first International Neonatal Screening Day today, 28 June 2021
Professional and patient organisations and health systems around the world are celebrating International Neonatal Screening Day for this first time today.
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Nominate a project for the Sanctuary Awards!
Nominations for the MOD Sanctuary Awards close on 31 July and we’re looking for entries in the Net Zero and Resource Efficiency Award as well as the Sustainable Procurement and Construction Award.
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Strengthening space ties between the UK and Japan
Today, the UK Space Agency signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), taking a new step in space cooperation between the UK and Japan. Dr Graham Turnock (CEO of the UK Space Agency) and President …
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Covid-19 vaccines - Frequently asked questions
Covid-19 vaccines - Frequently asked questions - Updated Frequently asked questions answered by Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam Professor Jonathan Van-Tam (‘JVT’) was appointed Deputy Chief Medical Officer in October 2017. He leads on health protection. What …
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“Byte-ing Back Better” - Introducing a Q-FAIR approach to Geospatial Data Improvement
Callum Irving, Senior Data and Standards Advisor, shares the Geospatial Commission’s ambitions to improve access to better location data by making it Q-FAIR - Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable and of the right Quality that is fit for purpose. Building on …
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Giving assurances
If you’ve not come across DHSC's Regional Assurance team, its members act as two-way information sharers between the Department and local areas.
They use their experience of the adult social care sector to provide informed assessments to the Department and the Minister for Social Care. They also provide opportunities for the sector to influence and inform DHSC about the way current policies are working in the regions.
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Introducing the service design playbook
The service design playbook is a resource to help designers and digital teams navigate designing public services. The goal of the service design playbook is to help designers that are new to service design in government understand how to apply …
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Breastfeeding Celebration Week – supporting mothers who breastfeed
This week is Breastfeeding Celebration Week, and this year we’re focusing on how partners and the wider family can support new mothers to breastfeed.
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Dragons’ Den Episode 12, Series 18
This week we saw some fiercely passionate entrepreneurs fighting for their businesses despite some tough questioning from the Dragons. From recyclable shoes to a finalist in MasterChef: The Professionals, I was on the edge of my seat...but who managed to secure an investment?