GOV.UK blogs

Five things you need to know about behaviour in schools

It is vital that students are able to concentrate fully on their education free from the distraction and disturbance of bad behaviour. That’s why the Department has invested £10m in a set of measures that will help school leaders improve …

RPA's April 2021 update is here

The RPA update for April 2021 is here. We send out regular updates to customers with the latest information on our schemes. A year on from the start of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, as many of our staff continue to work …

WRES stories: Bristol onboard for culture change

Bristol Council's Principal Social Workers are very pleased to be taking part in the Workforce Race and Equality Standard (WRES) national pilot for which there has been strong support from colleagues. They see this as an opportunity to share learning from their collective experiences and help drive organisational change.

At a STEM career crossroads? Take the Patent Examiner route

Most science-minded 16-21 years olds want to train as a vet, a doctor, a dentist or a teacher - job titles they are most likely to recognise through encountering them in everyday life. Hear how skills needed for these highly visible scientific professions have paved the way for some of IPO's Patent Examiners to achieve the roles they're in today.

Calculate your progressive reductions 2021 to 2024 – new online calculator

We’ve created an online calculator to help you see how progressive reductions could affect your Direct Payment in England, for scheme years 2021 to 2024. Defra and the RPA have produced a progressive reductions calculator that shows how your Direct …

New webinars to help company directors

Our new bite-sized webinar series is aimed at new and existing company directors. Find out more about them, including the support and guidance available to help you become a better director.

How is the public sector responding to the growing geospatial skills demand?

A key moment in any Government Geographer’s calendar is the annual Geography in Government Conference, which sees colleagues networking across government for professional development and sharing best practice. The December 2020 conference ran over the course of a week, bringing …

Call to Care to the rescue

Coordinating staffing levels, mealtimes, medication and care planning in a care home is always challenging. Add COVID-19 to the mix and it's even harder. Find out how our 'Call to Care' recruitment drive helped the Woodfalls Care Home solve a staffing issue and keep its residents safe and well.

Why do secondary school and college students have to carry on wearing face coverings? Your questions answered

We’ve confirmed that face coverings should continue to be worn by adults and those in Year 7 and above as a precautionary measure when students return to schools and colleges after the Easter break.

Newborn infant and physical examination e-learning resource updated

The NIPE e-learning module has been updated and refreshed.

GSE Opportunities: Institution of Mechanical Engineers Professional Development Events

Register for Free Professional Webinars with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers If you are looking for a webinar for your own development or to support you as you work towards professional registration as CEng, IEng or EngTech Member or upgrade to …

Government backs campaign to protect seals

This afternoon’s blog looks at media coverage of the recently launched Seal Alliance campaign backed by Defra to help protect globally important seal populations.

Strengthening transparency around lobbying

Dr Jane Martin, an independent Member of the Committee, blogs about the importance of openness and timely transparency around lobbying.

Celebrating 10 Years of DIO

  The start of this month marked 10 years since DIO was formed, providing an opportunity to reflect on a decade of our organisation delivering essential infrastructure services which help to keep our country safe and make a difference to …

Hindsight is 2020 – Private finance for innovation

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season …

Our work to improve inspections and make penalties proportionate

To many, cross compliance is something of a mystery. I want to explain what it is, why it’s important and what we are doing to improve it.

The next steps for digital, data and technology in government

Tom Read, CEO of GDS, and Joanna Davinson, Executive Director of the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), provide an update on the future for their respective organisations.

Spotting signs of excessive stress and burnout

Catherine Webb, Senior Sponsor of the Civil Service Preventing Burnout Working Group hears a personal story from burnout to recovery. April is Stress Awareness Month and I wanted to let you know that last year, the Civil Service decided to prioritise action …

Pulling back the "Blue Curtain" in the UK Overseas Territories

Cefas project lead, Dr Paul Whomersley: The oceans are rich and wondrous, hosting diverse wildlife and incredible species beneath the surface. But at a time when ocean resilience and productivity are declining, it is more important than ever to look …

Chief Social Workers for Adults present their annual report for 2020/21

The Chief Social Workers for Adults annual report 2021 is an opportunity to look back over the last year and reflect on the progress made on the priorities set out in last year’s plan and to celebrate collective achievements.

However, 2020 was a year like no other and one which proved enormously challenging to the social work profession. We saw first-hand the devastating effects of COVID-19 on the people and communities we support, including our colleagues, loved ones, friends and families...

The Institute talks...about autism and apprenticeships

You can listen and subscribe to The Institute talks podcast on Amazon Music, Apple podcast, Spotify and all other major podcast platforms. You can read transcripts for this podcast episode on Podbean. As part of our apprentice panel podcasts, Joel Roach our apprentice panel …

What I learnt from working in a bird flu outbreak

Greg has been working with APHA during an outbreak of bird flu and in his blog you can find out about some of his experiences working on the ground during the outbreak.

Response to The Times Red Box column on PDR change and planning reform

In response to incorrect reporting on a new permitted development right (PDR) and the wider impact of the government’s recent planning reform white paper in the piece by Mike Amesbury MP in the Times Red Box today. The column implies …

Three easy steps in 5 minutes – Catchment Sensitive Farming partnership support for your Countryside Stewardship application

The Rural Payments Agency took on administration of Countryside Stewardship in October 2018 and we have continued to work closely with the Catchment Sensitive Farming partnership. In today's guest blog we hear from Jonathan Payne, Linda Bratley and James Pick. …

The night sky in April

Following last month’s equinox, the nights are now shorter than the days, but there’s still plenty of time for spotting spectacular celestial sights this month.

Conversations we're having

We are invited to join a number of panel discussions, Q&A sessions and webinars, hosted by external organisations. This post contains links to some recent discussions.

New Countryside Code launched to help people enjoy the outdoors

This afternoon's blog looks at media coverage of the new refreshed Countryside, 70 years since the first booklet was published in 1951.

Event Duration Monitoring data published by the Environment Agency

We look at coverage following the Environment Agency's publication of the Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) data for 2020, which tracks the operation of storm overflows.

How we'll use the money we have for the people we serve

EA Chief Executive Sir James Bevan looks to the future and the priorities for the Environment Agency in the year ahead.

Helping primary pupils with their maths skills in a post-pandemic world

Michelle Cobb, Year 6 teacher and maths lead at Underwood West Academy in Crewe describes how using the DfE’s guidance on teaching maths in primary schools has both helped her school get through the pandemic and plan for the post-pandemic future.

Minister Pow on preventing litter in public spaces

There has been widespread coverage this week of the amount if litter being left in public outdoor spaces following the easing of coronavirus restrictions.

How London is reaching diverse communities with vital COVID-19 information

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to communicate information to the general public clearly and through trusted sources has been paramount to saving lives. This blog looks at the Keep London Safe campaign and what

Shaping the new Landscape Recovery scheme

The success of any piece of policy or scheme depends on how it holds up in real life. That is why we’re running a series of Test and Trials with farmers before the launch of new schemes. 

Hepatitis B quality improvement project launches with focus on screening and monitoring

The hepatitis B quality improvement project has launched after nearly 3 years of planning and preparation. Find out more in this latest in a series of PHE Screening blog articles about this important project.

Adapting the single justice procedure for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Katie Dean, HMCTS Deputy Service Manager, Single Justice Service, talks about how the single justice procedure has been adapted to deal with the demands of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Sustaining the fight – what we learned in discovery

In the first of a 3-part series, the Army Design Ops team and Army Digital Services (ADS) Deployed Application Group; who are pioneering user-centred design and design thinking within Defence, share some key insights from working on a discovery phase …

Regulating the nuclear industry in Cumbria

Saffron Price-Finnerty, Interim Manager for the Nuclear Regulation Group North, explains how our nuclear regulators and assessors have been continuing their work regulating the nuclear industry in Cumbria.

Striving for access, equity and respect: The Workplace Race Equality Standard (WRES)

The Chief Social Workers in England are working together to implement the social care WRES. Here, Isabelle Trowler reflects on the importance of the WRES and empowering all social workers, regardless of ethnicity.

"I helped a service user escape a situation of modern-day slavery": Harvey's experiences as a probation officer

Harvey Clarke, a probation officer based in Coventry, spoke to us about his experience on the probation officer trainee programme (PQiP), the best bits of his role and what it’s been like working during the pandemic. What was your route …

Everything you need to know about the Government’s newly launched ‘Abuse in Education’ Helpline

Sexual abuse in any form is unacceptable. Following the concerning reports provided to the Everyone’s Invited website, detailing incidents of sexual assault in schools and colleges, the Government is taking immediate steps to support to those affected and ensure all …