7152posts
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How APHA is protecting online plant buyers
An increase in online plant sales has brought an increased threat of plant pests and diseases. Dan Munro, Senior Technical Manager for Plant Passporting at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), explains what APHA, as part of the United Kingdom (UK) Plant Health Service, is doing to reduce these risks.
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Targeted Lung Health Check Programme renamed the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme
From 1 February 2025, the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) Programme will be known as the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme.
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Introducing the deposit return scheme for drinks containers
This week, the Government pledged to end the throwaway society and clean up Britain; as it implements legislation for the deposit return scheme for drinks containers in England and Northern Ireland.
Read our post to find out more.
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Is your woodland a home for hedgehogs?
Alan Reid is our Nature Recovery Advisor in the West Midlands. Here he explores why woodlands are such excellent habitats for these enigmatic creatures, and how woodland owners and managers might help them.
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Developing FMPs: share your views on wrasses and seabream
An update from the Marine Management Organisation on the development of the wrasses complex and seabream FMPs and an upcoming online opportunity to have your say.
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Have you ever wondered how impartial and informed advice makes for better law?
The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) is an independent statutory body which provides exactly that when it comes to social security and related matters under the remit of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Department for …
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Get the write stuff to boost your career
Government Skills learning expert Jonathan Marshall explains how his ‘JASPER’ course can help civil servants elevate their writing skills. Writing well is one of the stand-out skills civil servants need to thrive in their jobs and progress in their careers. …
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Get involved with Services Week 2025
Services Week is back and the theme for 2025 is - people-centred services. Designing effective public services starts with innovation, a strong understanding of what people need from services, and close collaboration between different teams and specialisms. Are you a …
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DBT Data Challenge drives innovation
Department of Business and Trade’s (DBT) Chief Data Officer Sian Thomas reflects on how a Data Challenge showcased the power of automation, big data analytics and the benefits of collaboration between Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) and core teams
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Best Practice: working together for success
Strengthening Coastal Planning: Our Engagement with Local Planning Authorities in the South West Effective planning at the interface of marine and terrestrial environments requires collaboration and clear communication between decision-makers. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) works with local planning teams …
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2021 to 2022 data from England underlines huge impact of national NHS screening programmes
The importance of the NHS screening programmes to the public’s health is underlined in a high level summary of data from the NHS Screening Programmes in England for the screening year 2021 to 2022.
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Saving species in Somerset; the work of the Somerset, Coast Levels and Moors Nature Recovery Project
By Simon Phelps – Natural England Over the past three years, the Somerset Coast, Levels and Moors Nature Recovery Project has been working hard to save some of our most threatened wetland species. I’m fortunate to not only be leading …
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Building Capacity for Sustainable Fisheries: OCPP’s Training Mission in Madagascar
Author: Amy Anderson (MMO) In October, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO)’s Global Marine Team undertook a deployment to Madagascar under the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP). The Ocean Country Partnership Programme is a bilateral technical assistance and capacity building programme …
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Natural England welcomes £22.1bn investment in Water Industry National Environment Programme
The Environment Agency has published the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP), detailing more than 20,000 actions that England’s 19 water companies must complete from now until 2030 to meet their environmental obligations. Developed with guidance from the Environment Agency …
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Norfolk County Council’s experience with the Cyber Assessment Framework for local government
In this video case study, Norfolk County Council share their experience of the CAF for local government, including how it’s helped them to take a broader view of their cyber resilience.
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Early years qualification checking service: Protecting a public service
Robert Gammon is the Technical Architect on the Early years qualification checking service, currently in the private beta stage of development. Protecting a public service: how and why When developing a new digital public service, you might wonder why it …
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UK boosts planetary defence capability with IAWN membership
Planetary defence is a key part of space sustainability and protection. In this article Edward Baker, Planetary Defence Lead at the UK Space Agency, explains its importance and the UK’s role in global efforts to protect Earth.
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Competition that drives growth and investment - reflections on joining the CMA
The government has set out economic growth as its top priority and has done so for good and sound reasons. Without growth, there is no money to support the rebuilding of our vital public services and no prosperity for hardworking …
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Holocaust Memorial Day
Monday 27 January marked Holocaust Memorial Day, with this year also commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau making it a particularly pertinent event this year. The Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, attended a series of events to …
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Inaccurate Council Tax rise reporting
There has been media reporting in The Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph suggesting that councils will be able to raise their council tax above the threshold of 3%, with 2% for the adult social care precept. This is inaccurate …
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World Cancer Day: our journeys are unique, but we thrive when united
This year the Civil Service Working Through Cancer Network will show support for World Cancer Day on 4 February by focusing our events on the unique human story behind every cancer diagnosis, and how by uniting we are stronger and …
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Making it easy to find trustworthy digital identity and attribute services
You shouldn’t have to be an expert in trust frameworks and certification to be able to identify a trustworthy digital identity service. And we’re doing two things to mean you don’t have to be.
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Enhancing flood and coastal erosion risk digital services with the latest data and mapping
The Environment Agency is transforming its understanding of flood and coastal erosion risk in England. Over the past four years, we’ve been working with local authorities to develop a new National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA) and a new National …
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Kickstart your chartership journey: New year, new goals
As we begin 2025, it's an ideal time to set new professional goals. Achieving chartership is one of the most rewarding and impactful goals you can pursue. This not only elevates your career but also enhances your skills, knowledge, and …
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Uncertainty in climate analysis
As the effects of climate change become more obvious, there is a growing urgency to understand climate-related risks and how they might evolve. Here we look at the uncertainties associated with future climate change; from the emissions pathways we might take to how climate processes are modelled.
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Introduction to the role of evidence in fisheries management plans
Fisheries management plans rely on a foundation of robust evidence. In this post we explore this along with our published evidence statements and their role in sustainable fisheries.
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Coverage after Government pledges to clean up communities with deposit return scheme for plastic bottles and cans
Today we are looking at coverage after Government pledged to end the throwaway society and clean up Britain as it implements legislation for the deposit return scheme for drinks containers in England and Northern Ireland
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Welcome to Government Digital and Data
We're excited to introduce you to 'Government Digital and Data' - the new name for our blog.
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Same name, new ambitions
A new chapter begins. We unveil the name and vision for the new digital centre for government.
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Achieving change in adult social care
January is always a good time to sort your ‘stuff’ out and before starting my new role, I took the opportunity to clear out my cupboard. It was interesting to see what I had kept over the years from the …
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Coverage of pesticide emergency authorisation being denied to protect pollinators
Today we’re looking at coverage of the government’s announcement of the decision not to grant emergency authorisation for Cruiser SB, a neonicotinoid pesticide,
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Public Accounts Committee report on homelessness
Today the Public Accounts Committee published a report on homelessness, with several recommendations to the government to build a cross-government strategy to tackle homelessness and invest in preventive measures. This was featured in PA media, Sky News, The Independent and …
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Digital Planning Directory launches: a milestone moment for the UK’s planning sector
Digital transformation has taken a major step forward with the launch of the Digital Planning Directory - a comprehensive platform bringing together state-of-the-art planning tools and services in one accessible location. The Directory, developed to address the pressing need for digital skills and resources in local planning authorities, will help both public and private sector professionals make informed decisions about digital planning solutions.
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Commissioner Robin Simcox visits Southport
In July 2024, our nation was shattered by the murder of three children in Southport. The perpetrator, Axel Rudakubana, had attempted to kill even more. This week, Rudakubana pleaded guilty to all charges facing him. The impact that terrible day …
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Sign up for UK NSC online seminar on multi-cancer detection tests
The UK NSC is holding an online seminar on 27 February, focusing on multi-cancer tests. Sign up now.
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Dragons' Den IP Blog - Series 22 Episode 3
A reseller with an inspirational refugee story and a bathroom with backbone – these were the pitches that caught our IP eye in this week’s Dragons’ Den episode. Read on to find out more!
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Focus On: jHub
Established in 2017, jHub is Strategic Command’s central innovation hub, dedicated to accelerating the adoption of new technology within Defence. By providing frontline users with cutting-edge technology and processes, jHub delivers battle-winning capabilities in the shortest possible time. jHub achieves …
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Partnership sees experimental 'Disco Scallop' method develop into full-scale, commercial low-impact fishery
By Mark Duffy, Marine Principal Adviser, Natural England Over the past three years Natural England has supported and invested in the “Potting for Scallops” initiative to help sustainable fishing of the mollusc and protect seabeds. The technique in the initiative …
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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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Your feedback on the gamma (0.4) trust framework
In November, we pre-released the gamma (0.4) publication of the trust framework. We also highlighted that we would be seeking feedback on this latest publication to inform our ongoing work. This post kicks off that engagement cycle, explaining how we …