6152posts
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Launching our Water Restoration Fund
In this post, the Environment Blog team discuss the launch of the Water Restoration Fund and what this fund means local for communities.
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Anneke helps the UK NSC navigate the complexities of genetics
Anneke helps the UK NSC navigate the complexities of clinical genetics evidence in screening when public expectations about the ability of genetics to predict ill health are running high.
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Primary school offer day 2024: Everything you need to know
Parents of three and four-year-olds will soon find out what primary school has offered their child a place for the next academic year. The majority of pupils will be offered a place at one of their preferred primary schools, while …
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Coverage of Ministerial Direction on waste incineration facilities
Today we are looking at coverage following the Ministerial Direction on waste incineration facilities.
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Operation Temperer Factsheet
What is Operation TEMPERER? Operation TEMPERER is a joint contingency operation to provide military support to the police in extreme national emergency circumstances, such as surge support for a major domestic terrorist attack or threat. Defence personnel will always be …
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Drawing from personal experiences to improve children’s social care
In this blog, a member of the Children’s social care National Practice Group (NPG) explains how her own personal experience of the care system has helped support the development of a National Framework for children’s social care.
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Law enforcement torch run visit to the Gibraltar Defence Police
On Friday 5 April 2024, the Gibraltar Defence Police were delighted to host the European Co-ordinator for Special Olympics at Northgate House, Gibraltar Defence Police (GDP) Headquarters. Mr Jan Branderhorst and his wife, who are from the Netherlands, were on …
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What’s in a name (change)?
Defra Head of Security Hannah John explains how a subtle but important name change aimed at building wider awareness and understanding of our broad and important Defra remit, will at the same time enable us to grow an increased sense of belonging among all of our people.
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Major Pearce returns to the Royal Gibraltar Regiment following two years in Directorate for Overseas Bases
The Royal Gibraltar Regiment is pleased to announce the return of Major (Maj) Elvis Pearce after a two-year assignment as Staff Officer Class 2 (SO2) Gibraltar Desk in the Directorate for Overseas Bases in MOD’s Strategic Command, Northwood, United Kingdom. …
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Working together to meet government targets for tree planting in England
Ian Tubby, Head of Policy and Advice at the Forestry Commission, and Adrian Jowitt, Principal Adviser Woodland Policy at Natural England reflect on the recent CEO visit at Cranborne Estate, where Marian Spain and Richard Stanford discussed our shared vision for woodland creation.
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Working together to meet government targets for tree planting in England
Ian Tubby, Head of Policy and Advice at the Forestry Commission, and Adrian Jowitt, Principal Adviser Woodland Policy at Natural England reflect on the recent CEO visit at Cranborne Estate, where Marian Spain and Richard Stanford discussed our shared vision …
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Partnership board updated on progress with SMA screening evidence review
The UK NSC and its partners were updated on work to review the evidence for newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy at the second meeting of the SMA in-service evaluation partnership board.
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New research project launched by the Environment Agency to monitor saltmarsh’s carbon capture and storage
The Environment Agency (EA) is part of a new research project that will monitor saltmarshes across the UK. Saltmarsh plays a significant role in mitigating climate change by absorbing and storing greenhouse gasses in their plants and sediments. As well …
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In the jungle: Operating alongside the flora and fauna of Belize
Did you know that the British Army undertakes Close Country Tropical Training within the jungles of Belize? The British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB), supported by DIO, operates on one of the MOD’s overseas training areas, which we share …
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Reflections on the first year as Head of the Government Science and Engineering Profession
Dear GSE members, it has now been one year since I took on the best job in the world, the role of Government Chief Scientific Adviser, with the remit to advise the Prime Minister and government on all things related …
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Free childcare: How we are tackling the cost of childcare
England has some of the highest quality childcare provision in the world, with 96% of early years settings rated by Ofsted as good or outstanding. But we recognise that childcare is also one of the biggest costs facing working families …
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Removing barriers in recruitment for prison leavers and people with convictions in the Probation Service
The Civil Service currently has 23 Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) Life Chance Schemes in operation across Government, using innovative approaches to recruitment and providing Individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, who face barriers to employment, with opportunities and …
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New regime to drive up decent standards for social housing residents
This week we announced the new inspection regime for social housing which will be enforced by the Regulator of Social Housing. Minister for Social Housing, Baroness Scott wrote for the Big Issue, setting out the biggest change to social housing …
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Delivering for people and planet
In 2018, the government published its 25 Year Environment Plan which outlined 10 overarching goals for improving the environment within a generation. Here are 60 ways we are delivering this for people, the planet and nature.
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RAF Rugby Union - For the love of the scrum
As the Rugby Union Inter-Services Championship draws closer, anticipation builds, with players working hard at an intensive week-long training camp in Gibraltar. In preparation for April’s Inter-Services Championships in Plymouth against the Royal Navy Masters, thirty two players from …
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A look back at the PATH-SAFE Biosurveillance Conference 2024
At the end of February, the Pathogen Surveillance in Agriculture Food and Environment (PATH-SAFE) team hosted a two-day conference to facilitate knowledge exchange within the biosurveillance community, by showcasing the innovative work that has been undertaken within the PATH-SAFE programme, and other related biosurveillance programmes.
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Farming Rules for Water: The vital role of soil testing
Established by Defra in 2018, the Farming Rules for Water (FRfW) were introduced to reduce and prevent diffuse water pollution from agricultural sources. They are applicable to all farmers and land managers across England and work to safeguard water quality …
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Passing comets and meteor showers: the UK night sky in April 2024
April is set to showcase the most spectacular displays in the cosmos, from a partial solar eclipse to a glimpse of the Lyrids meteor shower.
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GOV.UK ID Check app: Building an accessible digital identity app
The background At Government Digital Service (GDS), our mission is to make digital government simpler, clearer and faster for everyone. As part of the GOV.UK One Login programme, we released the GOV.UK ID Check app for iOS and Android last …
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Working towards a cleaner Wharfe – a closer look at water quality testing at Ilkley’s bathing water
In December 2020, a stretch of the River Wharfe at Cromwheel, Ilkley, in Yorkshire was designated a bathing water by Defra,the first section of a river in the country to become a bathing water. Yorkshire’s Bathing Waters lead Claire Campbell …
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The publication of the Common User Charge rates
Today we look at coverage following the government’s publication of the Common User Charge rates and guidance
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DSUR Submissions and Fees are Changing from 1 June 2024
The process for submitting Annual Safety Reports (ASRs) for Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products (CTIMP) to the MHRA is changing. From 01 June 2024, ASRs such as the Development Safety Update Report (DSUR) will not be considered valid unless …
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A foot in the Digital Front Door: expanding digital thinking in policy-making
In this post, Greg Winfield, Head of User-Centred Policy Design at DLUHC, talks about how adding user-centred design support at the spend control gateway spreads digital thinking across policy-making.
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Biodiversity Net Gain: guest insights on planning BNG for small sites
Welcome to our Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) guest blog, featuring industry experts sharing their top tips. They are: Julia Baker, Technical Director, Nature Services, Mott MacDonald Isabelle Carter, Regional Director and Landscape Architect, Stride Treglown Emma Toovey, Chief Ecology Officer, …
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Accessible Justice: courts and digital services for all
In our fourth episode of our Inside HMCTS podcast, we focus on how we’re making our courts and tribunals more accessible for everyone and how we are supporting people to use our online services.
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We Are Strategic Command with Sophie Bellamy
Learn more about the crucial role of Communications in Defence with Sophie Bellamy, Communications Manager at Strategic Command. Interviewer: Could you introduce yourself and your role at Strategic Command? Sophie: My name is Sophie, and I'm the Social Media Manager …
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Throstle Nest Farm on applying for grants
RPA offers a wide range of grants rural payments to farmers and businesses. In this blog, RPA talks to dairy farmer David Wilkinson from Throstle Nest Farm about his experience of applying for grant funding under the Farming Equipment and …
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England Ecosystem Survey: introducing England’s largest ever field survey
By Isabel Sloman, Manager, and Elizabeth Mitchell, Senior Advisor for Engagement and Impact, Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment programme The England Ecosystem Survey (EES), the largest field survey ever undertaken in the UK, is now well underway. Working at thousands …
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Beware the criminals lurking online
The modern way to find many of the services, trades, and products we need to buy is to look online. It’s quick, easy and you can do it from the comfort of your own home. But it is a minefield …
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Looking to the future of the MOT
In our latest blog, Neil Barlow talks about some of DVSA's ongoing work after the MOT Consultation and what additional aspects the MOT could include.
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Future Councils Pilot insights: Common challenges to digital transformation in local government
From March to October 2023, we worked closely with 8 pilot councils to identify the most common challenges that consistently block local government digital transformation work. In this blog post, we’re excited to share some of the key findings from our pilot report.
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What the heck is 'Interoperability'?
It's an odd word with a huge impact and a key part of building A Modern Civil Service. Interoperability means making it easier for different departments to work together, unlocking potential and getting rid of things that slow the job …
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Royal Gibraltar Regiment return following successful EX JEBEL TARIK
The Royal Gibraltar Regiment has concluded its annual firing camp, Ex Jebel Tarik, in the UK and is now returning to Gibraltar after a successful and productive training exercise. The Regiment's participation in Ex Jebel Tarik reaffirms its commitment to …
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Hiking weekend for No2 Overseas Squadron (Gibraltar) Cadets
Thirteen cadets from the No 2 Overseas (Gibraltar) Squadron Air Training Corps spent a recent weekend hiking in Finca, La Alcaidesa, Spain. Equipped with heavy backpacks and hiking boots, the group, who were conducting their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, …
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Thousands of parents of two-year-olds benefit from 15 hours free childcare - here's how
We’re making the biggest investment by a UK government into childcare in history, doubling the amount we expect to spend over the next few years from around £4 billion to around £8 billion each year. We've already started to rollout the first phase …