8479posts
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Resident doctor strikes: everything you need to know
There have been two periods of strike action this year by resident doctors (25-30 July and 14-19 November 2024. More strikes are planned in December. Here, we tell you everything you need to know about resident doctor strikes, including what …
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Turning science into action: How we’re delivering water data for England’s future
Today marks a significant moment for all of us who care about England’s rivers and streams. Today, we’re releasing our first set of analysis-ready water data under Defra’s Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme and I’m immensely proud of the work of hundreds of committed Environment Agency Staff that has got us to this point.
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Major milestone: NCEA publishes new datasets on England's environment
Today, a major milestone for the programme has been announced – the first release of Analysis Ready Data from the UK’s largest ever field surveys have been published. The NCEA programme is all about turbocharging nature's recovery through delivering robust and up to date evidence on the terrestrial and freshwater environment. Read this blog post to find out more.
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Coverage of our over £1 billion investment to support victims of domestic abuse
There has been widespread national coverage of the government’s announcement which unveiled over £1 billion will be invested for victims of domestic abuse to access support and rebuild their lives. An extra £19 million will be invested under the Domestic …
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ADOPT: first projects selected as next round opens
With the next round of the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) fund now open, we highlight some projects that have recently begun, to inspire you to apply.
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Carbon valuation: why it matters for regulatory policy
How government values carbon has become an increasingly important part of its value for money analysis. At the RPC, we scrutinise carbon appraisal as we would other societal impacts - looking for proportionality, transparency and consistency.
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Future Food Regulation and Healthy Food Sales
Cymraeg At the FSA’s Board meeting on Wednesday, the Chief Executive’s update to the Board highlighted the recent request from Government for the FSA to develop a new national approach to regulation for large food businesses in England. This will …
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5 tips for managing your woodland this winter
MacBradan Bones, Nature Recovery Advisor for the Forestry Commission, shares his tips on managing your woodland this winter.
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Natural England’s Chief Scientist reflects on the Science, Evidence and Analysis for nature recovery
By Professor Sallie Bailey, FICFOR, BES On 4 December, the Royal Armouries in Leeds hosted some leading voices in nature recovery. Thought leaders and innovators from environmental NGOs, academia, finance, infrastructure and local government joined Natural England at our Science, …
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Latest statement in response to small boat crossings
A Home Office spokesperson said: "The number of small boat crossings are shameful and the British people deserve better. “This Government is taking action. We have removed almost 50,000 people who were here illegally, and our historic deal with the …
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Its the final day of Professional Recognition Week: what's next?
Over the last week, we’ve heard from members and institutions on the benefits of Professional Recognition and how it can benefit you. Today, we’re exploring the key steps you need to take to kick-start the process, as well as outlining what support the GSE Profession provides to members looking to obtain recognition. 1. Understand …
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How collaboration and innovation came together to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping
The recent Local Government Innovation Hackathon in Birmingham united over 150 experts to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping challenges. Teams developed bold, AI-driven solutions, including the winning prototype matching people to accommodation. The event showcased the power of collaboration, innovation and responsible AI in tackling pressing social issues and shaping future government policy.
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A Second Career for the Armed Forces Community
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is proud to announce the upcoming launch of the Advance into Justice (AIJ) scheme, a dedicated recruitment initiative designed to support Armed Forces service leavers, veterans, reservists, and their spouses or civil partners in transitioning …
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Using a third party provider to verify your identity with Companies House
Directors and people with significant control (PSCs) can verify their identity through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). This blog post explores the benefits of using an ACSP to verify.
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Lobster size rules are changing – here’s what you need to know
The lobster MCRS will increase to 90mm in the South West in March 2026 and phased in at 1mm/year in the rest of English waters.
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Applying to become a Chartered Scientist: a fast streamer’s personal journey
On Day 4 of Professional Recognition Week, we’re focusing on the recognition journey of one of our Science and Engineering Fast Streamers (SEFS). David Franklin, a SEFS alumni based at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, reflects on his experience applying for Professional Recognition following the SEFS scheme. What motivated you to pursue professional accreditation during your time on (or shortly after) the …
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Bio-beads: what are they, what are they used for and what risk do they pose to the environment?
On the week of 3 November a vast number of small black plastic pellets started to wash up on the beach at Camber Sands in East Sussex. It immediately, and naturally, drew considerable concern from the public and local community. …
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National plan to halve long-term rough sleeping and prevent homelessness
There has been widespread, national print and broadcast coverage, alongside extensive positive stakeholder reaction, on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s cross-government plan to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping. The strategy is backed by £3.5 billion of investment …
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School inspections: frequently asked questions
Since we published the renewed inspection framework on 9 September 2025, we’ve put on lots of online and face-to-face engagement with schools to answer your questions. We’re publishing the most frequently asked questions below, so you can see all the …
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World first as GE Vernova completes Step 2 generic design assessment
We’ve just announced that GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy is the first company in the world to successfully complete our two step generic design assessment (GDA) process. Its BWRX-300 reactor design, a 300 megaWatt electrical (MWe) boiling water reactor, has been issued with a Step 2 statement. What does this mean and what have we …
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Our Voice, Video and Integration journey
Sometimes bigger isn’t better. Three years ago, MoJ launched our Justice Digital Strategy 2025, aiming to become a more flexible organisation, driven by data and led by users. Our Evolve portfolio of projects has played an important role in delivering on this strategy and in Justice Digital’s mission to make things simpler, faster, and better for our users. As 2025 draws to a close, it’s a …
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Minimum brown crab size backed by South West fishermen
The minimum size will be changing on 1 February 2026 to protect stocks and make fishing clearer and fairer across the region.
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Buncefield: 20 years on, reflections from those who were there
For this second piece, we wanted to share first-hand experiences from some of our colleagues who were directly involved. Their memories highlight the scale of the incident and how it continues to influence our work today.
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Rethinking how we approach the design of reservoirs
By Jacqui Jobbins, Landscape Senior Specialist, Natural England As our climate changes and demand for water grows, water companies across the country are planning new reservoirs and expanding existing ones. But these projects aren’t just about storing water – they’re …
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Paws, patents and protection
From slow feeder bowls to retractable leads, discover how intellectual property protects the products that keep our four-legged friends safe and happy.
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Occupations in demand in 2025: what the analysis means for the skills system, by Frank Bowley
Skills England has published its latest analysis, occupations in demand, exploring the occupations most in demand across the UK labour market in 2025. This analysis helps us to understand which employers and industries are likely to be feeling the greatest pressures to recruit and retain workers, and the level of qualification those workers are likely to need. Used alongside other …
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What teachers need to know about our on-screen assessment proposals
As teachers, you know better than anyone that GCSEs, AS and A levels are high-stakes qualifications that shape young people's futures. Every decision about how these exams are delivered must start with one question: is this fair for students? That's …
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100 Days of Cyber & Specialist Operations Command
On 1 September, Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) was officially stood up. It has been an extraordinary 100 days since then, with the transition representing more than just a change of name - it has marked a fundamental evolution …
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Discover our coaching and mentoring opportunities: supporting GSE members with Professional Recognition
The Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Profession leads the way in championing the benefits of mentoring, promoting best practice and recognising its contribution towards professional development, diversity and career growth. Our 2021 strategy demonstrates our commitment to mentoring for GSE members. Mentoring is especially vital for helping colleagues achieve Professional Recognition, building confidence, and establishing networks across …
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Designing public services that work for everyone
Find out how we’re breaking down digital barriers to help everyone benefit from public services, wherever they are.
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Buncefield: 20 years since the incident that changed how we regulate
In the early hours of Sunday 11 December 2005, a dense fog formed around the Buncefield fuel depot on the edge of Hemel Hempstead. A large petrol storage tank was overfilling, and vapours spread across and beyond the site.
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Understanding residents' experiences of housing safety and quality
What does a safe housing system look like when it works for residents? Learn how our System Design team’s research is informing thinking on a new regulator designed to protect residents and improve safety and quality across the built environment.
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Defra group transformation: mapping the whole service landscape
Lucy Hartley, Head of Service Strategy, Ownership and Performance, and Katie Dickerson, Senior Service Designer at TPXimpact agency, reflect on working together to map Defra group services.
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Combinable crop contracts: have your say
From the food on our plates to fuel in our tanks, combinable crops are part of all our lives. A public consultation, open now, seeks views on fairness and transparency in contracts across the combinable crops sector.
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How GOV.UK Pay grew to processing £8 billion in transactions
Since launching in 2016 GOV.UK Pay has now processed £8 billion in card payments online and over the phone. Here we look at how we’ve used data to grow the product to this milestone.
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MMO publishes bass authorisation review report
The review looked at commercial authorisations for bass. Recommendations have been made in this newly published report.
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Hear from the Science Council on why now’s the perfect time to get registered
For day 2 of the Professional Recognition Week, we have a guest blog from one of our partner institutions, the Science Council, showcasing the benefits of registration, myth busting common misconceptions about professional recognition, and some upcoming opportunities for Government Science and Engineering (GSE) members! Please visit the Science Council’s website if you’re interested in reading through case studies of scientists who …
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Coastal Planners corner
Our Coastal Planners have been working with partners, attending key events, and supporting projects that strengthen collaboration and ensure England’s seas are managed sustainably. North East In between developing the Heritage Assets and Employment policies for the revised East Marine …
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Project VERITAS: Pioneering Offline Voice-to-Voice Interpretation for NATO and UK Operations
Imagine being able to speak to someone in their own language, even without internet or translators. Project VERITAS is an innovative initiative set to transform communication in austere and environments where electronic signals must be limited. Led by jHubMed - the …
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Changes to booking system – understanding views and how these inform the planned changes
We have published the full results of our consultation on improving the rules for booking a driving test.