9583posts
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National Apprenticeship Week 2026 - Apprentice to Crisis Management Lead
Sue Richards – Crisis Management Lead and Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (CEng MIET) For National Apprenticeship Week 2026, Sue Richards, Crisis Management Lead for Ofgem, started her career as an apprentice and strongly supports alternative pathways into engineering and the …
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National Apprenticeship Week 2026 - From Apprentice to Leader: A 42-year journey in engineering.
Nick Jones - Engineering People Coach, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Ministry of Defence For National Apprenticeship Week 2026, Nick Jones, [Engineering People Coach, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Ministry of Defence] outlines how an apprenticeship can open doors you never imagined- shaping not just a career, …
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Celebrating one year of the cross-government low code community: a people-first approach
Five years ago, a handful of individuals across government started chatting about the challenges we faced with low code tools. What began as informal conversations which were often sparked by questions such as ‘does anyone know how to do this?’, grew organically into …
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UK NSC stakeholder engagement strategy updated
UK NSC stakeholder engagement strategy updated after comprehensive review.
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Dragons Den IP Blog - Series 23 Episode 2
There was much in the Den to marvel at in this episode. Innovation included skin care, ways to save, a sensational flavour bomb and a 'Swish' golf ball cleaner. Guest author Kelsey takes up the story...
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Building on the progress of the past year and moving forward
Looking back over the previous year, what strikes me is the huge amount of steady work that’s happened alongside significant change. Defence Reform and the Strategic Defence Review have rightly taken focus, but delivery hasn’t stopped. Across the CTO, progress …
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More than a helpdesk: user support’s role in helping GOV.UK Notify send 12 billion messages
User support – a necessary burden or a strategic advantage? Find out how GOV.UK Notify turned users’ questions into insights, team engagement and an improved service that has now sent 12 billion messages.
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What is Burkholderia stabilis, and why should I check my first aid kit?
Burkholderia are a type of bacteria found naturally in the environment, including in soil and water. Burkholderia stabilis is one species within this group. While many people never encounter problems with this type of bacteria, it can cause serious infections in certain …
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National Apprenticeship Week 2026: My apprenticeship journey
Esther Faith Rowland, Assistant Engineer – NPL For National Apprenticeship Week 2026, Esther Faith Rowland, Assistant Engineer, shares her journey as an engineering apprentice at the National Physical Laboratory, reflecting on her personal growth throughout the apprenticeship. Early inspiration and choosing the path When I began my GCSEs, I …
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Pattern principles in the welfare sector
Finnish designer, Janne Mattila, explains what makes something a public design pattern.
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Decent Homes Standard
There has been coverage and discussion on social media about the Decent Homes Standard and what that means for private renters. Read more here about the changes we’re making and why, as well as the new rights and tough rules …
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When Newsround comes calling: taking an enforcement campaign to a new generation
The IPO's Senior Media Relations Manager David Jenkins explains how a childhood favourite became a perfect platform for an important public safety message.
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Understanding technical architecture across local government
This blog shares insights on how technical architecture is used across local government, focusing on common patterns and challenges rather than individual organisation. It explores how shared technical layers can support collaboration, reduce duplication, and create more consistent foundations for digital services.
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ADOPT round 6 opens today: hear how farmers are using funding
As Round 6 of the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) Fund opens, we hear from two farmers who have received funding. Thomas Slattery from the Support Hub speaks to Bryony Graham in Essex and Peter Southwell in East Yorkshire.
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National Apprenticeship Week 2026: The value of a personal perspective
Dr Beverley MacKenzie As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2026, Dr Beverley MacKenzie, a lifelong advocate of apprenticeships, reflects on their unique value in combining academic study with real-world experience. Why apprenticeships matter From my experience, apprenticeships at all levels …
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Creating a Vehicle Examination Facility network for approvals tests
We’re transforming the way we conduct vehicle approval services, introducing Vehicle Examination Facilities for Individual Vehicle Approval and Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval...
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More support for children through foster care: what you need to know
Foster carers provide safe, stable homes for children who cannot live with their birth families. For many children, fostering offers the chance to grow up in a caring family environment, close to their community.
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Greener, Faster, Better: How Partnership Working is Streamlining Development on the Lower Thames Crossing
By Marian Spain, CEO of Natural England It’s not often that a major infrastructure project is associated with being green, but recently I visited a project which aims to be ‘Britain’s greenest road’. This is a bold claim but one …
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How the Better Regulation Framework promotes competition to deliver affordable prices, innovation and growth
The Better Regulation Framework requires departments to assess how policies affect market competition. Regulations can inadvertently harm consumers and growth by creating barriers for new businesses and innovative competitors. Policymakers should use the CMA's checklist to identify competition impacts and explore alternatives that protect smaller firms and potential market entrants.
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Funding Service: How we built a new funding platform for MHCLG
Over the past year, the Funding Service has been building a new funding platform for the department based on an entirely new single codebase. This post outlines the technical choices and approach that guided the build of the platform, and how the functionality will support MHCLG to deliver grants faster, better and cheaper.
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Introducing the new nutrient management planning tool on GOV.UK
Managing nutrients effectively is one of the most important jobs a farmer does. To make this easier, we’ve launched a new tool on GOV.UK.
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UK Space Agency Accelerator drives investment and growth across space sector
The UK Space Agency Accelerator announced impressive results from its 2025 Explore and Leo accelerator cohorts, demonstrating how targeted support can rapidly accelerate investment, revenue growth and commercial readiness among UK space entrepreneurs.
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Looking back, looking forward: farewell reflections from the Chair of the Forestry Commission
Sir William Worsley, outgoing Chair of the Forestry Commission, reflects on six years leading the organisation and shares his thoughts on the priorities that will shape the future of England’s forests.
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From Redbox to DBT Assist: Building AI tools that balance innovation and trust
When I.AI closed their Redbox product in December 2025, DBT had already diverged substantially from that original platform. Two years of user research and iteration created something distinct, shaped by the specific needs of civil servants working with Official Sensitive material.
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National Apprenticeship Week 2026: A future in metrology at National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
Andrew Burgon – Measurement Scientist Apprentice, NPL Andrew shares his journey and growing passion for metrology and quantum technologies through his apprenticeship at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) during National Apprenticeship Week 2026. Discovering a new passion I didn't necessarily have a deep passion …
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One year as a RISE adviser: What I've learned about school improvement
To celebrate the one-year anniversary of RISE this year, a RISE adviser talks about why they applied for the role and share learnings from their experiences.
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Update on our approach to market interventions
How our new markets regime guidance will streamline our approach and minimise uncertainty for businesses.
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Final Roulement Infantry Company (RIC) Exercise: Training where it counts
Falkland Islands - January 2026 For B Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, the Falkland Islands provided a demanding and memorable setting for their final exercise whilst based at the Falkland Islands. Isolated in the South Atlantic and separated …
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Forever chemicals: the problem and our plan
'Forever chemicals' - or PFAS - have been making headlines. PFAS are used in many products we rely on every day – cookware, clothing, packaging. Their durability is useful, but it also means they stay in the environment for a long time. That's why the government is publishing its first PFAS plan setting out an evidence-based approach to tackling these persistent chemicals, protecting public health and the …
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Why do we close the rating list?
You have until 31 March 2026 to request changes to your current valuation for business rates. Here we explain why there’s a deadline.
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A new mapping tool to support beaver reintroductions and dispersal across England
By Heather White - Senior Data Scientist and Daveron Smith - Principal Data Scientist In this blog, we launch the Beaver Considerations Assessment Toolkit (BCAT), a new mapping tool that has been developed by Natural England (NE), in collaboration with …
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First precision breeding and low emissions projects awarded funding
From rubber made from dandelions to climate‑friendly faba beans in dairy farming, we’re pleased to highlight the innovative projects to receive funding under the first round of precision‑breeding and low‑emissions competitions.
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LEDS: Police data in the digital age
This technical case study explains how a successful collaboration between the Home Office and the police has created a modern, accessible and API-led law enforcement data platform.
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Leaving the legacy behind: our journey to modernise court technology
This two-part blog series looks back at our behind-the-scenes technological transformation. In part one, we look at the overall modernisation journey – why it was necessary, the scale of the challenge and what it means for justice delivery.
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Free breakfast club roll out: everything you need to know
What is the new free breakfast club scheme? We have introduced free breakfast clubs - 30-minute sessions before school where children get a free breakfast so they to start every day ready to learn. As children return from the …
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Beyond the Reef Caribbean Expedition: A leg of firsts in Anguilla
Anguilla is known for its vibrant coastal waters with coral reefs and sandy beaches. But its exclusive economic zone (the area of sea Anguilla is responsible for) is vast. Stretching almost 200 nautical miles north-east of the island, much of it had never been scientifically surveyed. However, 25 scientists and technical officers from Anguilla and …
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Testing new planning data standards with industry: what we learned from phase 1 and where we go next
We've completed the first phase of testing new data standards for planning applications. Working with local planning authorities, software suppliers and the Planning Portal, we examined how draft specifications align with real systems and workflows. The result? A clearer understanding of what works and what needs refining before wider implementation.
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Dragons Den IP Blog - Series 23 Episode 1
The Den is looking a little different this season, as Sara Davies has left the Dragons’ lair. A new guest Dragon will be joining each week, and for this episode the guest was Jenna Meek, CEO of beauty brand REFY who was ready and waiting to meet tonight’s band of keen hopefuls.
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New and updated enforcement framework – a message from Giles Thomson, Director of OFSI
Today, 29 January 2026, we are publishing OFSI’s public consultation response on proposed changes to our enforcement processes. Under our revised framework, these changes will support compliance, give firms greater certainty and ensure our approach to enforcing financial sanctions is …
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Taking Flight- The new Clean Catch seabird bycatch monitoring and mitigation trial
Written by Emily Roebuck, Eastern England Fish Producer’s Organisation (EEFPO) trial lead, Cefas On Monday 15 December 2025, the Clean Catch team was invited to present at the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fisheries. The APPG is a cross-party forum …