GOV.UK blogs

UK NSC’s multi-layered approach to understanding multi-cancer detection tests

The UK NSC is working to understand multi-cancer detection tests and their possible impact on screening through multiple strands of work.

Coverage of government announcement on steps to reform water sector

Today we are looking at coverage of today’s water company roundtable held by Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed.

Coverage of Secretary of State, Steve Reed’s attendance at the Great Yorkshire Show

There has been significant coverage of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed’s first official visit since taking office at the Great Yorkshire Show. The Secretary of State met with farmers and stakeholders, including visits to the NFU and CLA stands. Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner also attended the event.  

Noctilucent Clouds and meteor showers: the night sky in July 2024

July provides an opportunity to see two meteor showers, Noctilucent Clouds and even the core of the Milky Way galaxy.

Whooping cough: my daughter spent the third week of life in an induced coma

In this blog post, Jenny, from Hampshire, shares the story of her daughter Layla and her struggle with whooping cough at 3 weeks old.

Army swimming team in overseas training camp

The Army Swimming Team recently spent two weeks in Gibraltar as part of their Overseas Training Course in preparation for the upcoming Inter-Services Competition to be held at Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre in July. 25 swimmers, from across a range …

B Company volunteer reserve service medals awards ceremony

The Royal Gibraltar Regiment’s B Company recently came together to honour the achievements of several of its members. Following their evening drills, a parade was held to recognise their dedication to the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Reserves. The Volunteer Reserve Service …

The wider benefits of Continuous Cover Forestry

In memory of the late chair Bill Mason, the Continuous Cover Forestry Group explore the wider benefits of Continuous Cover Forestry as a means to manage your woodland.

A simpler, clearer and faster way to decide when to consult Natural England on planning applications that might affect a SSSI

By Sarah Middlehurst, Senior Officer, Natural England Today sees the launch of a new tool that will help local planning authorities (LPAs) decide when to consult Natural England on planning applications that might impact a SSSI. The new and improved …

Changes to our address for service policy and practices

Our new requirement aims to increase clarity and consistency, and reduce requisitions.

Trees for bees: how Wakehurst is using citizen science to help pollinators

In our second post to celebrate Bees’ Needs Week, Senior Policy advisor Sian Watts sat down with Wakehurst’s pollination research lead Dr Janine Griffiths-Lee, to find out how they use citizen science to help pollinators.

How to get the most out of your agency briefing

A good agency briefing will set your project up for success from the start, but it can be confusing knowing what to include. Learn Design102’s top tips for writing a creative brief, from the ‘must-haves’ to ‘nice-to-knows’.

Commander UKStratCom and DirOb visit

General Sir James Hockenhull KBE ADC, the Commander of UK Strategic Command and Dr Sam Griffiths, Director Overseas Bases, recently made a visit to British Forces Gibraltar. The visit was a great opportunity for the recently appointed Dr Griffiths to …

Building mentally healthy workplaces

Team leaders from across government share how they support their colleague's mental health.

Launching the new Policy Lab prospectus

Donna Ward, Director of Strategic Policy in the Department for Education, launches Policy Lab's new prospectus. From catalytic interventions to ambitious system change, read on to find out about Policy Lab's methods, offer and impact.

Powering the next generation of rocket scientists

The national Race2Space competition, in which students from universities across the UK will hot-fire rocket engines they have designed and built, is well underway at the Westcott Space Cluster.

Recruitment - independent member of ARAC (digital)

The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) is an arm’s length body of the Department for Business and Trade. Since 2021, we’ve had responsibility for guarding the UK against economic harm caused by unfair trading practices. We undertake investigations into imports to the …

LEGO, memes and a made-up department - running training for ICS Digital

Find out how we made our ‘introduction to ICS Digital’ training interesting for Learning at Work week.

Setting the Standard

The days after a general election, especially when power transfers to another political party, are a hectic time in government. After campaigning hard and knocking on doors, the new teams and staffers must familiarise themselves with their roles and departmental …

Letter to the education workforce from Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has written a letter to the education workforces to make clear the valuable role they will play in the government’s agenda for change. To all working in early years, children’s services, schools, further and higher education, …

New screening masterclass dates announced

Two new dates have been announced for our popular screening masterclasses in autumn 2024.

5 simple actions to help pollinators this Bees’ Needs Week

The Environment Blog is back! We’ll keep you updated with all the latest policy news. But it’s also Bees’ Needs Week, so today we’re writing about how you can support pollinators with 5 simple actions.

Business and consumer surveys: a new approach to gathering evidence for our investigations

The TRA conducts investigations into allegations of unfair trading practices and makes recommendations to government on appropriate measures (such as tariffs) to defend UK economic interests. Here at the TRA, we’re trying to make it easier for supply chain businesses …

2024 annual call for topics is open

The UK NSC’s 2024 annual call for new screening topics has opened, giving stakeholders the chance to propose potential new screening programmes, new technologies we have not previously reviewed, modifications to current screening programmes, or early updates to topics the committee has considered recently.

Improving our website search

Rob Thomlinson, Senior Product Manager, shares how we're updating our website search with natural language processing to provide users with richer search results to increase the probability of them finding what they're looking for.

From measles to malaria, how to keep you and your family healthy on holiday

Dr Shreya Singhal is a junior doctor working in West London, as well as being a keen backpacker. She has worked in Infectious Diseases and General Practice and shares her top tips for people looking to travel this summer. With lots …

Scottish business Load Monitoring Systems (LMS) recognised with King's Award for Enterprise

At just seven years old, being honoured with the UK’s most prestigious business award in recognition of success in international trade is a monumental achievement and, for LMS, the timing coincides with another important landmark in our corporate journey writes …

Apply now for a Laying Hen Housing For Health and Welfare Grant

Applications are now being taken for a new grant for hen housing, which is available to laying hen and pullet farmers in England with flocks of 1,000 birds or more. This grant can be used to part fund two different …

Esteemed UK space sector colleagues recognised in King’s Birthday Honours 2024

The King's Birthday Honours saw UK space sector colleagues recognised for their work's contributions. The UK Space Agency celebrates and congratulates these space pioneers.

Calling all TRAilblazers : Join the TRA and Champion Fair Trade

Are you passionate about ensuring fair trade and protecting UK industries? Do you want to work on issues that have a national and international significance? The UK Trade Remedies Authority is looking for dynamic individuals to join our diverse team …

Get funding to improve animal health and welfare

New support to tackle endemic diseases for keepers of beef cattle, pigs and sheep is now available as part of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. This support is not yet available to keepers of dairy cattle. The availability will …

Current Vacancies at The TRA

The TRA is one of the first public bodies to be set up to meet the new needs of the UK following its departure from the European Union. We play a central part in ensuring that the international trading environment …

Ultramed receive King's Award for Innovation!

Ultramed is a digital health company specialising in pre-procedure assessments. Dr Paul Upton, Ultramed’s CEO, said “the King’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category was a fantastic recognition of the efforts of every person in our small team of …

Gripple – King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation

Gripple is the original innovator and manufacturer of wire joining and tensioning devices, as well as anchoring, bracing and suspension systems that have changed the game for many industries. We operate in 85 countries worldwide, employing more than 900 people …

Coverage of BBC investigation into potential illegal dry spills by water companies in 2022

There has been expected coverage by the BBC on their investigation into England’s water companies discharging sewage when the weather is dry. The investigation suggests 6000 possibly illegal spills occurred during 2022. The coverage notes that three water companies shared …

DIO's links to D-Day - Tom's story

As we mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, we at DIO are reflecting on our own experiences and stories of the invasion. Tom Niblett, from our External Communications team, has shared his family’s experience. Tom’s granddad, Thomas Payne was part …

Alchemy Technology Services Receive The King's Award for International Trade

Alchemy Technology Services is a global centre of excellence specialising in insurance software implementation and professional services. Founded as start up in September 2018 in Derry/Londonderry, Alchemy has grown from a staff of zero to over 200 based in Northern …

Vyta - Northern Ireland Business Receive King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development

Established in 2001, Vyta is a global leader in IT Asset Disposition and Lifecycle Management (ITAD and ITALM), offering comprehensive, sustainable, compliant and totally secure solutions covering the entire IT lifecycle in over 50 countries around the world. In 2023, …

D-Day Map used by Eisenhower still stands in DIO building

In June 1944, the official order to launch the Normandy Landings was made from a small room in an Officers’ Mess. That room, and the history it holds, is cared for by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) as part of …

New evidence Asian hornets overwintering in UK

There has been widespread coverage this morning across BBC Breakfast, the Times, the Telegraph, the Guardian and the Daily Mail focused on new evidence Asian hornets have overwintered in the UK. Genetic analysis conducted by APHA’s National Bee Unit, found that three Asian hornets queen’s trapped last month in Sussex are the offspring of a nest that was destroyed in the area, in November 2023.

Whilst this is the first evidence of Asian hornets overwintering in the UK, it is not considered to be strong evidence of an established population.