9583posts
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Sciencewise: bringing the public voice into science and policy-making
Sciencewise is the UK’s internationally respected programme for public dialogue with science and technology, ensuring public opinions and concerns are factored into policy-making. Sciencewise Programme Director Katie Weeks explains more about their work. From climate change to artificial intelligence, genome editing to data research, science and …
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Inaccurate reporting about local election High Court ruling
There has been some initial inaccurate reporting in a number of outlets that a High Court order today ruled the government cannot proceed with potential postponements to some local elections in areas undergoing reorganisation. This is entirely wrong and misleading. …
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What are the symptoms of shingles and what is the connection to chickenpox?
Shingles, known medically as herpes zoster, is an infection that causes a painful rash. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella). Once someone has recovered from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body and then can reactivate later in life and present as shingles because of decreased immunity – either …
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Testing a new GOV.UK publishing application: Content Block Manager
We’ve built an application that allows GOV.UK publishers to create and reuse modular content. Find out how it works, what we’ve learned from testing and what’s next.
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Unlocking Space for Agriculture
The UK Space Agency is funding two four‑month pilot projects, using satellite data and digital tools to help farmers make more informed decisions, boost productivity and care for the environment.
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Help us improve the registration process for children’s social care services and early years and childcare provision
Are you planning to register a children’s social care service, or register as an early years or childcare provider? We’d love to hear from you! Ofsted is running user research sessions to explore how we can improve the application process. If you're thinking of registering any of the services listed below, …
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Windows 11 in DBT: Putting people first in digital change
How DBT lead with a human-centred approach to upgrade its staff onto Windows 11.
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HM Land Registry portal to be refreshed
The design refresh is all part of HM Land Registry's efforts to continually improve customer services, drawing from customer feedback to provide the level of support expected from a modern digital government.
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Our roadmap for modern digital government
This week, we published our roadmap for modern digital government, setting out how teams across government are transforming public services through joined‑up platforms, AI adoption, stronger digital infrastructure, investment in talent, smarter funding, and greater transparency.
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Helping people with health and work: what we learned
We tested a new way to connect health and government support, helping people with long-term conditions stay in or return to work.
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Reflections on my first year as Chief Social Worker for Adults
I hope the new year started well and everyone had a good break over the holidays. This time last year I started as the Chief Social Worker at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and much has happened …
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Cross-partner working on targeted screening: UK NSC, NICE and HIS
UK NSC works with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) to help improve early detection of health conditions.
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Investigations at OPG
[English] - [Cymraeg] Last year, our teams handled more than 11,000 concerns reported to us – with only around a third falling within our legal powers to act. Understanding how investigations work at the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), and how we …
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Our approach to keeping GOV.UK One Login secure
Explore 5 ways GDS strengthens the security and privacy of GOV.UK One Login, using expert safeguards and ongoing improvements to support trusted access to government services.
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Understanding identity verification for people with significant control (PSCs)
Companies House has introduced new identity verification requirements for people with significant control (PSCs). Find out why, how and when you need to verify if you're a PSC.
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Speculation on local elections
There has been continued speculation in the media about the potential number of areas that may have their local elections postponed this May. To be clear: no decisions have been taken. Councils had until 23:59 tonight (15 January) to submit …
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Governance lessons from the UK-US PETs Pilot for cancer research
The UK-US Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) pilot demonstrates how privacy-by-design can be applied to international data sharing and provides a concrete model for future PETs projects across government. In this blog, we reflect on the governance lessons from the pilot.
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Housing Sec hails recovery 'green shoots' in latest housing supply figures
The Housing Secretary has welcomed new housing supply figures published today, showing green shoots of recovery across the housebuilding sector. The new data release confirms a rise in the number of new build starts in the year ending September …
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Inaccurate reporting on fines under Simpler Recycling
There has been inaccurate media coverage of the government's Simpler Recycling reforms, which come into effect from 31 March.
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A day in the life - Senior Lawyer, Jamie Munk
We have recently opened applications to join our legal team. We asked our Senior Lawyer, Jamie Munk about his day-to-day work life and what it's like working at the Trade Remedies Authority... Tell us about yourself Jamie! I joined the …
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Building Homes, Restoring Nature: How District Level Licensing has streamlined development
By Mike Burke, Sustainable Development Portfolio Director Nature underpins our nation's growth, health, and security. Natural England's job is to recover nature whilst enabling our partners in the development sector to build the vital homes this country needs. Our approach is to …
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Using AI in marking: why technical capability, fairness, and transparency all matter
Ofqual has published new research exploring artificial intelligence’s potential role in marking, as well as its current capabilities and constraints. Rather than providing definitive answers, the published working paper offers an overview of the topic, shares our current thinking, highlights …
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Mandatory sheep carcase classification and price reporting introduced
A mandatory, standardised system for classifying sheep carcases and reporting prices is now in force. This brings sheep into line with beef and pork and will help farmers better understand how their livestock is graded and priced.
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Power of Attorney Stories: Justine
[English] - [Cymraeg] A lasting power of attorney (LPA) allows you to nominate someone you trust, known as an attorney, to step in if you lack the mental capacity to make certain decisions yourself. They are legal documents that cover …
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A winter woodland challenge: how to identify trees on your next winter woodland walk
Phillip Ayres, Land Use Advisor in the East and East Midlands at the Forestry Commission, shares four characteristics to help you identify trees during winter.
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Consultation opens on evidence relating to screening for COPD
The UK NSC has opened a consultation on evidence relating to screening for COPD.
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Driving outcomes through place and sector: Phil Smith explores Skills England’s 2025-2026 delivery plan
In the summer of 2025, shortly after the creation of Skills England, I shared with you the priorities that will guide our work. Now, as we begin a new year, I’ve been reflecting on the enormous energy and commitment I’ve seen across our …
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More local planning authorities commit to making their planning data open and join Open Digital Planning
Planning data locked in PDFs and legacy systems creates barriers for everyone. This February, 49 more local planning authorities are joining the Digital Planning Improvement Fund to publish essential planning data in open, standardised formats making it easier for residents, businesses and developers to find what they need.
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Join AI Engineering Lab and help shape the future of digital government
By joining the AI Engineering Lab project, you can help shape the future of AI adoption in software engineering across government.
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GAD at Botswana Actuarial Symposium
GAD Actuarial Director Dave Johnston attended the first Botswana Actuarial Symposium which explored how actuaries can strengthen public policy. Attendees including a small number of international participants, heard about GAD’s range of specialisms.
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Making sense of complexity: how we are approaching impact evaluation of trade remedies
The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) investigates allegations of unfair international trade practices, as well as unforeseen surges of imports, which are harming UK producers. Where there is evidence of unfair international trade practices, or unforeseen surges of imports, and evidence of injury to UK …
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Good conduct at planning inquiries – thoughts from the Bar and Inspectorate
Interim Professional Lead for Appeals, Claire Searson, reflects on a recent webinar into professional conduct at planning inquiries.
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What is the difference between Weather-Health Alerts and Severe Weather Warnings?
UKHSA's Weather-Health Alerts (WHAs) are separate from the Met Office's National Severe Weather Warning Service (NSWWS) - and understanding the difference matters.
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Response to claims on local elections postponement
Reports yesterday suggested that 22 areas across England will have their elections delayed. This is pure speculation. So far we have had responses from a fraction of the councils that are due to hold their elections in May this year. …
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Further education and skills 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 further education and skills (FE) providers to answer your questions. We’re publishing the most frequently asked questions below, so …
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The power of patterns
Design leader, Joanna Goodwin, writes about Wales's newest government design system.
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The new SFI offer for 2026
Following the Secretary of State’s speech at the Oxford Farming Conference today, we summarise how we're making the new SFI simpler and more targeted, and what this means for you.
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OFC 2026: clarity, partnership and growth
Today at the Oxford Farming Conference, the Environment Secretary made a series of announcements to support farmers in England, with a focus on clarity, partnership and growth.
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GDS Parish Council Domains Helper Service wins Digital Transformation award
Find out how the team scooped the biggest prize at the UK IT Industry Awards 2025.
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The red triangle that made history: celebrating 150 years of UK Trade Mark no. 1
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the trade mark registry, this blog explores the history of the first trade mark - and you can now have your say on the most iconic trade mark in history...