8861posts
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DHSC Get Adult Social Care Data Alpha Assessment
From: DHSCAssessment date: 26/09/2024 Stage: AlphaService provider: DHSC Service description This service aims to solve the problem of… ‘Get Adult Social Care Data’, developed by the Data Access Project (DAP), is a digital solution to address the data gaps and asymmetries in the ASC sector, …
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Advancing Space Sustainability through Updated BSI Standards
The UK Space Agency is committed to ensuring that space remains safe, secure and sustainable for future generations, for the benefit and prosperity of all humanity. As global space activity continues to grow, clear, practical approaches to the sustainable use of space are essential to protect the orbital environment and ensure its long-term, safe use.
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Pre‑consultation workshops for Scottish‑led pelagic FMPs
Register by 18 March to join workshops to shape the Scottish‑led pelagic FMPs ahead of the public consultation later this summer.
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How we retired a web application to make GOV.UK simpler to run
We’ve retired Static, an application that was part of every page on the GOV.UK website. Learn more about how this will save time, streamline our technology, and allow us to make improvements more easily.
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International Women’s Day: Giving, growing and leading in digital
This International Women's Day, 4 leaders share how generosity with time, resources and knowledge has helped them progress their careers and how their experiences equip them to contribute meaningfully to gender diversity and inclusion within their teams and beyond.
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Raakhee’s journey as an educator and advocate for inclusion
A leader shares her honest reflection on navigating identity, representation, and inclusive leadership in education - and why diversity and inclusion are essential, not optional.
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Creating space for change: Monique’s mission for equity
A headteacher reflects on a career built around inclusion, representation, and the belief that every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the adults who lead their school.
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Amjad's journey: championing inclusion through flexible leadership
A senior educator and inclusion advocate reflects on a career shaped by a commitment to representation, flexible leadership, and the belief that meaningful change starts with honest conversation.
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Get ready for the changes to the driving test booking rules: our webinar recap
Watch DVSA’s webinar recording on the upcoming changes to the driving test booking rules.
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Opening up the ocean: why diverse voices are vital for the future of marine science
Marine science is one of the least ethnically diverse degree subjects in the UK according to a recent review of UCAS data (Ford et al., 2023). This low uptake at university level is reflected in recruitment into the sector, with data …
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Dragons' Den IP Blog - Series 23 Episode 6
As Series 23 of Dragon’s Den continues, it’s my turn to write the IP blog this week. It’s been a while but having seen some fantastic innovation and ideas so far, I was excited to get stuck into episode 6…and it didn’t disappoint. Guest Dragon this week was Susie Ma, skincare CEO and admirable philanthropist.
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What are the symptoms of measles and how can I best protect my child?
Measles is highly contagious, so even a small decline in vaccine uptake can lead to a rise in cases. There has been a resurgence of measles in England, and around the world, in recent years. In 2024 there were 2,911 laboratory confirmed measles cases in England, the highest number of cases recorded annually in decades.
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Reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 – we want to hear from you to help shape the future of our sector and professions!
As many of you will be aware, Defra currently has a public consultation open on potential reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (VSA). Many veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, allied veterinary professionals (AVPs - also known as paraprofessionals) and members …
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World Book Day 2026: from one day to everyday reading
World Book Day is a valuable opportunity but its true impact lies in what happens beyond the celebration. Building a genuine reading culture requires a sustained, strategic commitment throughout the year. Read our latest blog to find out more.
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Designing Digital Services for Everyone: Why LGBTQ+ History Still Matters
In February, LGBTQ+ History Month prompts us to reflect on the progress we’ve made and the work still left to do. The UK has made remarkable progress in LGBTQ+ equality within living memory. Just decades ago, people like Alan Turing were criminalised, persecuted and driven to the …
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Positive reporting on the Government’s Flexible Voting Pilots
There has been widespread reporting across national media this week concerning the government’s announcement on the Flexible Voting Pilots. The I, Daily Mail and Independent and Metro all reported positively on the pilots, which will see voters able to cast their ballots …
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Comparing patterns across policing
Designers from around the world who specialise in policing share their common interests.
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Your voice matters: new findings on product safety in the UK!
The Office of Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) ninth edition of consumer research has been published and builds on the previous waves by examining the public's awareness of product safety issues. Unlike other waves, this wave focused specifically on the …
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The enchanted land of IP
A favourite childhood story is being adapted for the screen, and it got me thinking about the intellectual property behind it. From copyright and licensing to trade marks, The Magic Faraway Tree shows how IP helps creative worlds travel from page to screen and across generations.
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Give to Gain: How One Opportunity Helped Me Grow - International Women’s Day 2026
As we celebrate International Women's Day, Catherine reflects on how receiving the gift of an event ticket gave her the confidence to take her career to the next level.
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Reflections on Coastal Futures 2026
Sarah Allison, Integrated Marine Manager, reflects on the highlights, conversations and takeaways from Coastal Futures 2026. This year’s Coastal Futures conference took place on the 28 and 29 January in the Royal Geographical Society building in Kensington. If you haven’t been …
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AI and collusion: frontiers, opportunities and challenges
How AI and pricing algorithms have the potential to facilitate collusion, and what businesses can do to mitigate risk.
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How research led to policy change: Phytophthora pluvialis restrictions lifted
Joan Webber is the Forest Research Principal Pathologist and works on invasive pathogens, including Phytophthora pluvialis. Collaborating with Forest Research and Forestry Commission colleagues, her research helps us understand the threat from the agents and how it can be managed.
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What you need to know about secondary school offer day
On March 2, Year 6 pupils across the country found out which secondary school has offered them a place for September 2026. The vast majority of pupils have been offered a place at one of their preferred schools – most their top …
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Shaping the future of open data with Open Data Communities
Open Data Communities (ODC) is the platform for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to routinely release its data outputs in fully open, accessible and reusable forms. This blog post talks about how it’s evolving, why it’s changing and how you can help shape the next steps.
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What lies beneath: the data shaping the future of offshore wind energy
By Alex Banks, Principal Specialist, Ornithology. Offshore wind development is a vitally important part of the UK government approach to tackling the climate crisis and addressing energy security. At the same time, it is also vitally important that we protect …
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Announcing the 1.0 trust framework
Today, we have published the next iteration of the trust framework, supplementary codes and supporting documents in pre-release. Each publication is marked as the 1.0 version, with the supporting documents version-controlled in this way for the first time. The UK digital verification services (DVS) trust framework is the foundation for building trust in the digital …
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South West in-person consultation events- book now
Join us to share your views on the proposals for the Celtic Sea and Western Channel demersal and pelagic FMPs.
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Celebrating 20 years of the Business & IP Centre
This year, the BIPC at the British Library is celebrating twenty years of supporting small businesses to start and grow. Together with Amy Miller, Business & IP Centre National Network Co-ordinator, we take a look at the work of the BIPC and how the BIPC network has grown during this time and the ongoing partnership …
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Why your property's Council Tax band could increase
There are times when a property may be moved into a higher Council Tax band. In this blog, we’ll look at the four main reasons it could happen.
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Content isn’t static: what I learned about content ownership in the world of AI summaries
We reviewed a number of Department for Business and Trade (DBT) tagged pages flagged for review to confirm ownership and decide next action: update or retire. Without clear ownership and ongoing stewardship, content can drift while remaining live. AI systems and search tools can continue to surface older material without context, increasing the importance of …
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Why user research panels matter - Part One
Sophie Werkshagen shares her experiences of managing a participant panel for a government service, reflecting on why user research panels - and the people who maintain them - matter. In Defra we design and deliver services that support farming, food …
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DVSA’s digital year in review: championing our colleagues
In part 2 of our blog series, Becky Thomas, Chief Digital & Information Officer (CDIO), highlights some of the people, projects, and programmes that drive continuous improvement behind the scenes at DVSA Digital and Data.
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Coastal Planners Corner
North East In recent months, Kathleen had been focusing on developing the employment and heritage assets policies for the East Marine Plan. This has been a collaborative process, as we refine policies based on stakeholder feedback and insights from an …
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Explainer: Everything you need to know about modernising polling stations
The way we vote in person has not changed since 1872. Big changes are being tested in the way people vote at polling stations – helping to make elections more convenient, accessible and better suited to modern life. What’s changing? 🗳️ Making voting more convenient Several councils will …
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Building procurement knowledge and confidence with Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) training funded by DfE
Anthony Degnan, Finance Manager at Ad Astra Academy Trust, tells us what he has gained professionally after undertaking a DfE-supported Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Procurement Fundamentals course. Ad Astra Academy Trust is a multi-academy trust in the North East of England, with ten primary schools spread across Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, …
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We’re simplifying how you contact us about some of our grants
We’re changing the way you contact us by email about some of our grants. If you’ve emailed us at one of the addresses listed below, you should now use ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk. What you need to do Remove the email addresses listed below from your safe sender list and do not use them to contact us in …
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Government Veterinary Communities Explained: AGV & GVS
By Anthony Ridge, Deputy Head of Veterinary Trade Facilitation, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs I’ve spent the past eight years as a government vet, starting at the Animal and Plant Health Agency and now working in Defra as …
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Researchers and suppliers give UK NSC insights into novel cervical screening technologies
The UK NSC hosted a roundtable engagement day with 10 organisations to discuss emerging, novel developments relevant to cervical screening tests.
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Welsh Language Services: here when you need us
Hywel, Caren and Mari from the Welsh Language Unit to explore the support available, from dedicated helplines and translation services to in-court interpreters and why being able to speak your first language can make all the difference during life's most difficult moments.