9583posts
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What is meningitis? Symptoms, risks and how to protect yourself
Meningitis is a serious condition where the protective layers (meninges) around the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. It has many causes, such as different germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In the UK, most cases are due to bacteria or viruses. Some of the bacteria that cause meningitis can also lead to septicaemia (blood …
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How the government is tackling winter pressures
Last updated: Thursday 12 February Inside the government’s winter preparations: how the NHS fared better than previous years This winter has seen the NHS weather winter pressures more effectively than in recent years, supported by the earliest and most comprehensive …
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Nightmare on MOT Street: Frightening Faults Lurking in UK Garages
While most horror stories are set in haunted houses or dark woods, some of the DVSA’s scariest tales come straight from the MOT testing bay. This year testers have shared some truly hair-raising sights that would leave the bravest of testers shuddering.
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Dragons Den IP Blog - Series 22 Episode 14
Tonight was the final episode of this series of Dragons’ Den and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the products and seeing how the Dragons and entrepreneurs interacted with each other. As a patent examiner, there was one entrepreneur in particular that stood out to me - Rajan Bhojwani - pitching his business, SeeTheTape®.
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Data governance and security: Not optional anymore
This article highlights key themes, challenges and opportunities around data governance and security from our recent cross-governmental discovery work.
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Green Libraries Week 2025
Green Libraries Week, led by CILIP, is the national, annual celebration of libraries, across all sectors – from public libraries on the high street to national, health and academic libraries. The focus is on libraries leading climate and sustainability initiatives …
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The Ouija board: the invention that named itself
The Ouija board remains one of the most recognisable items in popular culture. With its decorated wooden surface featuring letters, numbers, and the words "yes", "no", "hello", and "goodbye", it is said to connect the living with the dead.
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Radioactivity in food and the environment (2023-24)
We’ve just published our annual report about radioactivity in food and the environment. Our radiological monitoring and assessment specialists Becca Williams and Rob Dean share the headlines from our monitoring and assessment work and talk about how artificial radioactivity gets into the environment.
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Qualifications that work for learners – and accountability when they don't
Every year, over 11 million qualifications are awarded in England – from GCSEs and A levels to vocational qualifications in healthcare, construction, childcare and many other sectors. These qualifications are the foundation of opportunity. They recognise students’ achievements, help them …
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King Scallop Implementation Group: spotlight on sustainability
How the FMP and KSIG are supporting a six-year plan to improve sustainability in UK king scallop fisheries.
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Find Your Place to Grow: Fast Stream Opens Doors Across the UK
The Government has an ambition to be closer to the communities it serves, and representative of the whole of the UK. Places for Growth is delivering this work, by ensuring more high quality roles are located outside of London. The …
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Growing stronger together: community action for nature
By David Drake, Director for People and Nature, Natural England The Nature Towns and Cities Partnership established by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the National Trust and Natural England, brings together organisations across the UK with a shared vision for …
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PELTIC survey – monitoring the pelagic ecosystem in the Western Channel and Celtic Sea since 2012
The waters to the south-west of the UK are home to a rich diversity of small fish such as sardines, anchovy, sprat, mackerel, horse mackerel and herring (collectively known as “small pelagic fish”). These fish species feed on plankton (microscopic …
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Exploring the potential of an AI Health Coach
A blended digital prevention team from the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and UK Health Security Agency has completed early research into the potential of an AI Health Coach
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Coverage of 1.5 million homes target
There has been media coverage today questioning whether the government’s 1.5 million homes target is achievable and concerns about the OBR forecast on housebuilding being too optimistic. From the outset the government has been clear this is a stretching but …
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Collaboration is the Key -public libraries as gateways to nature
In an era where connection - to nature, community, and wellbeing - is more important than ever, Culture Nature England (CNE) is helping to open up new opportunities for people to engage with the natural world. As part of Natural …
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Data protection for small businesses: practical support from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
In this guest blog post, the Information Commissioner's Office offers advice and resources to help your business handle data protection.
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What can Policy Profession membership do for your career?
As the second largest government profession, the Policy Profession is a strong community of policy makers, dedicated to sharing expertise and driving excellence.
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New clearer, easier, accessible guidance for the England Woodland Creation Offer
Louise Alexander, Woodland Creation Incentives Team Manager at the Forestry Commission, highlights the significant improvements made to the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) information on GOV.UK – making it quicker, and easier, to understand and follow the EWCO guidance.
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Supporting our people: building a stronger Defence
Wing Commander Jackie Wren, Senior People Officer, British Forces Cyprus HQ At the heart of the Cyber & Specialist Operations Command's global presence are our overseas bases, playing a fundamental role in protecting the UK and maintaining regional security is …
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Coverage of the Renters’ Rights Act becoming law
There has been widespread national, trade and broadcast coverage on the department’s announcement on the Renters’ Rights Bill receiving Royal Assent. England’s 11 million private renters will have significant increase to their rights in a generation as the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill …
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Clinical trials regulations: six-month countdown begins
In six months’ time, on 28 April 2026, the most significant update to UK clinical trials regulations in two decades will come into force. This will be a pivotal moment for the evolving clinical trial landscape and marks a new …
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Clinical trials regulations: six-month countdown begins
In six months’ time, on 28 April 2026, the most significant update to UK clinical trials regulations in two decades will come into force. This will be a pivotal moment for the evolving clinical trial landscape and marks a new …
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What’s changing – Supplementary Protection Certificates
Our One IPO Patent Service, is set to launch in Spring 2026, we are providing weekly guidance to help you prepare for these changes. This week we're looking at SPCs.
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Cartels: being first to apply for leniency matters more than ever
Our updated leniency guidance creates stronger incentives to apply for leniency before the CMA opens an investigation.
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A Century of Occupational Therapy: Why the Next 100 Years Matter More Than Ever
Introduction To coincide with World Occupational Therapy Day (27 October) and Occupational Therapy Week (3 - 9 November), Carolyne Hague outlines the vital contribution that occupational therapy makes to people’s lives and sets out her call to action, emphasising the …
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Coverage of Awaab’s Law announcement
There has been widespread national, regional and broadcast coverage today on the department’s announcement on new laws now in force protecting social housing tenants from emergency hazards and damp and mould. Awaab’s Law is a legacy to two-year-old Awaab Ishak who …
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A milestone in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
APHA's Ramon Maluping talks about how a UK–Philippines workshop empowered labs with vital skills to combat antimicrobial resistance and protect health, food systems, and the environment.
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"Unearthed: The Power of Gardening exhibition" in libraries across the UK
Green Libraries Week 2025 celebrates climate initiatives led by the library sector. This blog highlights the impact of the British Library’s recent Unearthed: The Power of Gardening exhibition in libraries across the UK. Libraries have always been places of discovery …
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Stakeholder reaction to plans to ramp up housebuilding in London
There has been extensive reaction from the housing sector, and national coverage, of the joint announcement to ramp up housebuilding in the capital – and ensure more affordable homes are built. The package – agreed between the Housing Secretary and …
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Striving for speed without compromising quality
Graham Stallwood, Chief operating officer for the Planning Inspectorate, reflects on the practical impact of the Planning Inspectorate’s work and gives his insights into our most recent performance update.
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Earls Court: Where Nature Is Set to Take Centre Stage in London’s Next Great Neighbourhood
By James Scott, Non-Exec Board Member at Natural England and Group Director of Strategy and Planning at Urban&Civic plc If you’ve ever wondered what happens when one of London’s largest brownfield sites is reimagined with a focus on nature, the …
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Making the most of your timber: unlocking the value of low-quality wood
Chris Watson, Woodland Resilience Advisor at the Forestry Commission, invites Simon James, Chief Executive from Small Woods Association, to discuss key wood products made from lower-quality wood, and how you can make the most of your timber.
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UK NSC Blood Spot Task Group work leads to new journal publication
Paper explores the challenges, opportunities and practical approaches when developing mathematical models to support policy decisions in newborn blood spot screening.
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Dragons Den IP Blog - Series 22 Episode 13
As I settled in to watch this week's Dragons' Den, I was ready and eager to spot the intellectual property (IP) opportunities amongst the pitches. From wrestling entertainment to tattoo care, educational gaming and house-sharing solutions, the Den was packed with innovation and tech ventures at every turn.
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Norovirus: What to do if you catch it and helping to stop the spread
Norovirus, commonly known as the winter vomiting bug (although you can catch it throughout the year, including during summer), is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It spreads easily through communities, making outbreaks common in settings where individuals have close contact such as hospitals, care homes, schools and nurseries.
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Government Communications scoop National AI Award
Government Communications’ AI tool, Assist, recently won the AI Award in the Government and Public Sector category at the National AI Awards. The National AI Awards celebrates those developing pioneering technology, applying AI in ways that deliver public value, and …
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Making licensing applications for sanctioned trade services more flexible and secure
OTSI has now introduced GOV.UK One Login and a new ‘save and return’ feature to apply for a licence to provide sanctioned trade services. The changes are designed to give businesses more flexibility and security when applying for licences using …
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Working together: DVSA and the driver training industry
DVSA’s Director of Driver Services, Pauline Reeves, details ways that we are working to try to improve how we communicate with you.
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A complex landscape with real opportunities
Interim Chief Planning Inspector, Rebecca Phillips, reflects on the opportunities and challenges for housing development following changes to national planning policy on Green Belt.