9404posts
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What is West Nile virus and is it found in the UK?
West Nile virus (WNV) is a virus spread primarily through the bites of infected mosquitoes. It belongs to the same family of viruses as dengue, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis. The virus circulates naturally between birds and mosquitoes, and humans or horses can be infected when bitten by a mosquito that has previously fed on …
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New guidance to help businesses prepare for EU trade agreement
The government is agreeing a new deal with the EU to make it easier to trade and move plants, animals, food and related products between the UK and EU. We’ve now published guidance to help businesses understand what these changes could mean in practice and the steps they may need to take to prepare.
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How the quality of regulatory assessments compares across departments
This blog post explains what the data tells us about the quality of the evidence and analysis supporting regulatory policy proposals across government departments.
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Explainer: New protections for domestic abuse victims in social housing
🏠 What does protecting domestic abuse victims actually mean? Right now, landlords have few options to support victims to remain in their home if they share a tenancy with an abuser, and many victims are forced to either leave or end the tenancy entirely – which can potentially leave you homeless. Last year, around 15,000 …
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Coverage of the Social Housing Bill
There is positive national coverage of the Social Housing Bill as it heads into its Second Reading in the House of Lords today. Much of the coverage leads with stronger protections for domestic abuse survivors as well as reforms on Right to Buy. The …
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Ending the advertising and sponsorship of vaping and nicotine products from 1 June 2027
The Tobacco and Vapes Act received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026. The Act ends the advertising and promotion of vaping and nicotine products, herbal smoking products and cigarette papers. Our intention is that this will come into force across the UK from 1 June 2027. This article explains the rationale for these changes, information on the specific changes, and outlines next steps. Why are we ending the advertising and sponsorship of vaping and …
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What is a trustee and how do you become one?
Volunteering can be incredibly rewarding, and there are many ways to give your time to a good cause. One of the most impactful ways to get involved is by becoming a charity trustee.
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Behind-the-Scenes: Evacuation from St Helena and Ascension
When a serious infectious disease threat emerges anywhere in the world, the UK needs to be able to respond quickly. UKHSA plays a central role in that response, including through the government's medical evacuation arrangements, which allows us to safely repatriate those who may have been exposed to a high-consequence infectious disease. Here, Renu Bindra, …
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Growing Green: How England's Cities are Putting Nature at the Heart of Development
By Nicola Brown, Senior Officer, Green Infrastructure This blog explores the amazing green infrastructure work being done across the UK and Europe to ensure that our towns and cities are resilient enough to cope with the effects of climate change. …
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Untitled
Dear colleagues, On my first day in the Civil Service 25 years ago, my father said it was the proudest day of his life. He was not a civil servant himself (he was a university professor), but he understood what …
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International Internal Audit Awareness Month
As we approach the end of this annual worldwide celebration of the Internal Audit profession, Debbie Moorhouse reflects on GIAA’s role – and her own - in the wider, global community … The Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA) provides internal …
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Volunteer, Magistrate, Inspiration: Carol's Story
For Volunteers' Week 2026, we're hearing from Carol Trigg, a magistrate for over 22 years and a true testament to what volunteering means. After losing most of her sight in 2012, Carol could have stepped away. Instead, she adapted, continuing to serve her community with the same dedication as ever.
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Digital waste tracking: where we've been, what we've built, and why the market is our primary user
Naveed Parvez reflects on the reaching of a significant milestone in digital waste tracking.
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Nature and Growth - Reflections from UKREiiF
By Marian Spain, CEO of Natural England In this blog, our Chief Executive Marian Spain reflects on her recent attendance at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum and discusses the major role that nature plays in growth and …
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Putting customers first: DVLA and CustomerFirst partnering to improve Drivers Medical service
CustomerFirst, a new unit in the Government Digital Service, is working with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to explore improvements to the end-to-end customer journey for the Drivers Medical service, while continuing to prioritise road safety and accessibility for everyone who needs them.
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Minutes published of UK NSC March 2026 meeting
The UK NSC has published the minutes of its March 2026 meeting, including an updated prostate cancer screening recommendation.
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Keeping your standard industrial classification (SIC) code accurate
Your standard industrial classification (SIC) code must accurately reflect your business activity. Find out why it matters and how to check and update your company’s SIC code.
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Capital Grants 2026: guidance now available
Guidance for the 2026 Capital Grants offer is now available on GOV.UK. Capital Grants help farmers and land managers pay for environmental improvements that support food production, improve water and air quality, support nature, and help farms become more resilient.
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UK–Norway collaboration enables vital offshore energy operations
Working alongside international partners, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has enabled the operation of an Unmanned Surface Vessel carrying out critical offshore inspection work in UK waters.
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Working together to tackle fakes: how Vinted and government are strengthening trust online
This month, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched ‘Second Hand, Not Second Best’ a campaign highlighting the benefits of shopping second hand, and why choosing pre-loved goods offers an affordable and sustainable alternative to buying fakes.
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Food Fact Check: Feed additives and our health
Food Fact Check: Kate Shield, Head of Animal Feed Policy answers questions about feed additives.
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Unlocking England's nature markets: a further step forward for investment in the environment
I'm Will Lockhart, Deputy Director for Nature Markets and Investment at Defra. In March, I wrote about how we're encouraging more private investment in nature recovery in England – including making it easier for businesses to pay for the benefits nature provides, and launching new, world-leading nature investment …
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Shaping the future Fast Stream: digital and cyber security schemes
Find out about Fast Stream opportunities for graduates wanting to start a career in digital or cyber security across government. By joining one of these programmes, you can help improve digital public services and protect the UK's digital infrastructure.
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Resident doctor strikes: everything you need to know
The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced another round of strike action by resident doctors. Here, we tell you everything you need to know about the BMA resident doctor strikes, including what patients need to know about their care. Are resident doctors going on strike? The …
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How AI can assist in hydrographic workflows
For several years, the UKHO has been actively investing in modern data technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to transform how it processes, structures, and delivers critical maritime information. Recognising that large quantities of hydrographic data often …
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UK Space Agency completes term leading global space debris effort
The UK Space Agency has concluded its year as chair of the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC).
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Adopting open-source in local government
Scaling open source in local government isn’t a technology problem, it’s a confidence one. Work with us to start to tackle it.
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10 things we learned running rapid AI experiments
Read about what DBT's AI teams learned as they ran rapid AI experiments to improve ways of working across the department.
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How we are helping kids stay active at school
Physical education (PE) and school sport play a huge role in supporting the healthy development of children and young people – improving their physical and mental health, supporting confidence and resilience, and building social skills. But evidence shows less than half of young people get the 60 minutes of …
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A badger named Miriam, and the 50 years of science that followed
Fifty years ago, one badger named Miriam changed everything. Today, her legacy lives on in the world’s longest continuous wildlife disease study.
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The Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund: Bringing even more buzz to Protected Landscapes
The new Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund (WRHF) is now live. It’s a new pot of money - £30 million - to create wildlife-rich habitats in National Parks and National Landscapes in England. Read this guest post by Chair of the Protected Landscapes Partnership Mary-Ann Ochota to find out more.
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Understanding the Skills England Expert Network, by Nikki Christie
Across the skills system, there’s an incredible wealth of employer insight and experience. Through my time at Skills England, I’ve seen first-hand the value of drawing on this expertise and how it supports better decisions and outcomes. From engaging in …
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What happens when you use medicines beyond their expiry date or in-use shelf life?
VMD Voices: Our Experts Explain Welcome to the third blog in our 'VMD Voices: Our Experts Explain' series. In this series, you'll hear from specialists across the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), from scientists and vets to enforcement and intelligence officers. …
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Learning at Work Week: Embracing Many Ways of Learning with the Government Science and Engineering Profession
Want to build a new skill without changing jobs? Learning at Work Week (18th – 22nd May) is here, and this year’s theme is ‘many ways of learning’. At the Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Profession, we’re celebrating the variety of routes available …
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Family courts: what we’ve delivered and what comes next for court users
Adam Lennon reflects on progress in family justice — from faster probate grants to the majority of divorce applications being made online, and looks forwards to Child Focused Courts, helping families to resolve disputes more quickly.
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Coverage of UKREiiF 2026
Following UKREiiF last week, there has been widespread coverage leading on a Homes England funding announcement in Leeds, alongside trade coverage on planning reform and the NPPF. There is positive regional and trade coverage of the government-backed Leeds South Village regeneration scheme. BBC …
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Apply now for a water screening study
Farmers in England can apply for a Local Resource Option (LRO) screening study. These studies help groups of farmers explore practical ways to secure reliable water supplies and improve long-term resilience. In this post, we explain how the studies work, what they can help farmers achieve, and how to apply.
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Rooting communities in nature: how one woodland brought people together
Duncan and Emma Davids are Forestry Commission Woodland Ambassadors who have transformed a woodland into a thriving space where people and nature come together. Duncan shares the story of how a decade-long dream led to the creation of two woodland enterprises rooted in sustainability and community.
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Foster Care Fortnight: the tiny quiet wins
Foster carer Hanan Al-Najjar reflects on eight years of fostering, the paperwork, the challenges, and the small but meaningful victories that make it all worthwhile.
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Creating hope: improving dementia care and research
As Dementia Action Week draws to a close, Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, reflects on progress to date and the advances yet to come.