9945posts
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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 …
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The UK Trade Mark Register at 150: what next?
Guest bloggers Annabelle Whatmough and Anne Barrett look at what the future holds for trade marks following the 150th anniversary of the Trade Mark Registry.
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Strengthening antimicrobial resistance surveillance in pets and horses
VMD Voices: Our Experts Explain
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Building on success: funding for new OCEAN projects
In November 2024 at COP29, we shared the 20 projects we'd funded through the first round of our Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature (OCEAN) Grants Programme. Today, we're delighted to be back with an update that we're building on first round success and awarding £14 million to community projects through the second funding round.
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Suspensions: How suspensions in school can help tackle behaviour and boost pupil support
Schools will be supported to introduce internal suspensions as part of their behaviour policies. Suspensions are meant to be a serious response to poor behaviour. But when pupils are sent home, they can miss learning, spend long periods unsupervised and fall further behind.
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Operation AUSTRAL ENDURANCE: Building Antarctic capability through cooperation
British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) personnel based at Mount Pleasant Complex have worked with Chilean counterparts and UK partners to strengthen safe, treaty‑compliant access to one of the world’s most demanding operating environments. Background and direction In December 2025, …
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Coverage of leasehold announcement
There has been significant and widespread media coverage of a major shake-up of the outdated leasehold system, announced by the government yesterday. Over 5 million leaseholders and future homeowners will benefit from stronger control, powers and protections, through the draft …
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Towards a comprehensive National Underground Asset Register, integrated into the existing ecosystem
The goal of the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) is to make street works safer and more efficient by bringing together underground asset data in a standard form, securely accessible in one place. Informed by extensive consultation, we are designing regulations that ensure that the …
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A look back at DVLA and Amazon Web Services (AWS)’s knowledge-sharing event
Simon Cromwell, ITS Strategy and Communication Lead, reflects on our recent event with Welsh Local Government and public sector colleagues. From cloud technology to developing digital careers, we explored what we've learnt and why investing in people is just as important as investing in technology.
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How people used GOV.UK in 2025
User insights help us to understand how we can develop GOV.UK to ensure it continues to meet people’s needs and work well for everyone. Learn about some of 2025’s main findings across the GOV.UK website, app and social media channels.
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AI Skills Boost: Skills England’s AI foundation skills for work benchmark supports free AI training for all, by Phil Smith
Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are changing the way we work. In order to benefit from the opportunities AI presents, boost economic growth and career success, it’s essential that people have the right skills and are confident in using them. The challenge Too many people in the UK lack digital …
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OFSI and partners clamp down on the abuse of cryptoassets
Sanctions enablers are increasingly turning to cryptoassets to move and hide illicit funds, including those linked to sanctions evasion. But every transaction leaves a trace. By working together, UK agencies are following those traces to identify, investigate and disrupt criminal …
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Time to Adapt: Helping Coastal Communities Prepare for a Changing Coast
From seaside towns to quiet rural stretches, England’s coastline is one of the country’s most valued assets. It is home to thriving communities, beautiful landscapes and vital infrastructure that we all rely on. But the coast is also one of the places where the impacts of climate change are being felt most clearly.
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Improving the way Google delivers search services in the UK
Find out more about our proposed conduct requirements relating to Google’s general search and search advertising services.
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Housing Secretary rallies sector at housing and infrastructure roundtables
This week the Housing Secretary and Housing Minister, along with the Chancellor and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, convened the country’s biggest housebuilders including Vistry, Permission, Taylor Wimpey, and Barratt Redrow to seek their views on proposed planning reforms …
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Why Nature Close to Home Matters: Evidence from the People and Nature Survey
By Lydia Dixon, People and Nature Deputy Director, Natural England A daily dose of nature boosts physical and mental health, strengthens communities, and can save the NHS millions every year. These benefits are often greatest for people in nature-deprived communities, who gain disproportionately from …
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Nipah virus: what is it, where is it found and how does it spread?
Nipah virus (NiV) is a serious infectious disease that periodically causes outbreaks in parts of Asia. While the risk to most people remains very low, understanding this virus is important if you are planning to travel to one of the areas where it circulates. No cases have ever been found in the UK.
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Unshackling leaseholders from problematic ground rents
The government has set out plans to introduce a cap on existing ground rents to £250 a year.
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Collaborative underwater TV surveys of Nephrops in the Irish Sea
Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus), more commonly called langoustines, Dublin Bay prawns or just prawns, are a commercially important shellfish species, with numerous fisheries around Great Britain and Ireland. The fisheries represent an economic value of £114 million (UK Sea Fisheries Statistics …
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Empowering Women in Tech: DBT’s focus on inclusion and innovation
“Diversity in Digital and Data leads to better outcomes for all of DBT and the businesses we support in the UK and beyond.”
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New year, new challenges – and we've hit the ground running
Interim Chief Executive Graham Stallwood looks forward to working together across the planning sector in a busy and exciting 2026.
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Own a flat or looking to buy? Here’s what the new leasehold shake-up means for you 💸
Millions of homeowners – mostly flat owners – will save significant cash thanks to a new major shake‑up of the leasehold system. If you own a flat or are looking to buy one, you probably know about the excessive charges …
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Do schools close because of bad weather? Everything parents need to know
Schools will make every effort to stay open in adverse weather conditions, however, the safety of pupils and teachers is a top priority. Here's everything you need to know.
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Using Local Nature Recovery Strategies to guide on-farm decisions
Whether you’re looking to improve soil health, manage flood risk, diversify income or plan future environmental activity, your Local Nature Recovery Strategy can help you decide what to do.
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More sensitive bowel cancer screening test implemented in line with UK NSC recommendation
The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in England has increased the sensitivity of bowel cancer screening faecal immunochemical test in line with the UK NSC recommendation.
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What the government's updated guidance on mobile phones means for school inspections
The Department for Education (DfE) has made its guidance on mobile phones in schools statutory . The DfE’s guidance states that ‘all schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default’. We know from our inspections that many of you had already banned …
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Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 – My Family’s Story - Dalya Wittenberg
Dalya Wittenberg shares how tracing her grandparents' escape from Nazi-occupied Poland led her to become a Holocaust educator – and why passing on survivor stories matters more than ever. The first time I disclosed to colleagues that I am a …
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Unlocking Better Outcomes: The Power of UPRNs in Linking Data
What are UPRNs? In an increasingly data-driven world, seamless data integration is essential for effective, efficient public services and business operations. Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs) are unique identifiers of up to 12 digits which are assigned to every addressable location in the UK. These …
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Early years 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 early years settings to answer your questions. We’re publishing the most frequently asked questions below, so you can see all the …