8598posts
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How the science of snakebites is taking on superbugs
Patients in British hospitals with serious, antibiotic-resistant gut infections have little in common with snakebite victims overseas. But when scientists made an unlikely connection in 2018, it led to trials for a potential new treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections. In this …
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Role models and International Men's Day
November 19 marks International Men’s Day—a day dedicated to celebrating the positive influence of men, their contributions to society, and their roles as fathers, mentors, and leaders. This year’s theme, “Role Models” invites us to explore the powerful impact that …
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Strengthening Global Sanctions: Two Years of Enhanced Partnership
In October 2024, representatives from the United Kingdom’s (UK) Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) convened in Washington, DC at our annual technical exchange, marking the second …
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People-centred and participatory policymaking
Policy Lab has a ten-year history of using people-centred and participatory methods in policy. Such approaches help to build evidence, understanding and empathy. Participation and engagement are already part of the Policy Profession Standards, and we are excited to see …
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Update for schools and trusts on Procurement Act 2023 - are you ready?
Hannah Mears is a Commercial Lead for Get help buying for schools, the DfE’s free supported buying service for schools and trusts. In this blog post, Hannah updates on the latest advice around the Procurement Act 2023, and how schools can get ready for the new regulations that come in February 2025.
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Celebrating 30 years of the National Lottery supporting nature recovery projects
By Adelle Rowe, Natural England Director of External Affairs Today sees the 30th anniversary of the National Lottery and Natural England is reflecting on the transformative role lottery funding has played in projects that protect and restore nature and give …
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Why we need Self Care Week
The Self Care Forum believes awareness weeks are vital for encouraging people to make better choices about their health and wellbeing. Chair, Helen Donovan, explains how we can all help make the change...
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Statement on farming and agricultural property relief
There has been extensive discussion about the changes to Agricultural Property Relief, announced in the Budget on 30 October. The government inherited a £22 billion hole in the public finances, and we had to make difficult decisions at the Budget …
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Our response to the government's social care reform proposals
The Department for Education (DfE) has published a policy paper on its proposals to reform children’s social care. This is a significant opportunity for the government, the sector and Ofsted to better serve the nation’s most vulnerable children. We have …
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Into the woods: resilience for the future
Join us for this month's 'Into the woods' blog by Resilience Officer Jon Burgess, who shares how silvicultural techniques used at a woodland in Devon has built resilience against the impacts of climate change.
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Monitoring inclusion in the digital identity market
Digital identities should be inclusive and accessible for as many people as possible. At OfDIA, our aim is that anyone who chooses to use a digital identity is able to do so. To best understand how we can achieve this, …
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Join the 2024 fight against flu by taking part in our citizen science project
Our scientists are tracking flu and other respiratory viruses and they need your help. Join our FluSurvey system and contribute directly to flu surveillance this winter. This UK-wide citizen science programme has now started, but there is still plenty of …
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Four steps to success: tips for candidates applying to the Civil Service
Applying for a role within the Civil Service can be a competitive process, but with the right approach, you will increase your chances of success. Whether you’re a recent graduate, looking for a new job or even a career change, …
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Keeping a close eye on your property helps us prevent potential fraud
Awareness of property and title fraud, and how to guard against them, is vital in supporting not only our own frontline defences but also the wider public and business sectors.
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It’s time for a new ONS website platform
Martin O'Brian, Deputy Director Digital Delivery, provides an update on the work to deliver a new platform and content for ONS.GOV.UK
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Enabling Technologies Programme: Advanced and Novel Space Instruments
The UK Space Agency's Enabling Technologies Programme is helping push the frontiers of instrumentation in space science, engineering and applications.
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Inspectors tackling wildlife crime
By Samantha Johnson-Roberts, Natural England Wildlife Inspector Background There aren't many jobs that combine tackling crime with protecting species like dormice and otters, but here at Natural England there are 46 of us and I'm lucky enough to be one …
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How the National Education Nature Park is helping young people restore and support nature
To mark the COP29 conference, the Defra Environment blog team will share nature stories throughout the week, starting with a post about the National Education Nature Park.
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Public Consultation on the International Council for Harmonisation ICH E6 (R3) Guideline for Good Clinical Practice Annex-2
As a GCP Inspector at the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), I thought it would be useful to inform you that Annex 2 of the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) E6 Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Guideline has …
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Planet hunting and meteor spotting: the night sky in November 2024
November is a great month to see the planets of our Solar System, meteor showers, and the Andromeda Galaxy.
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Changes to sanctions legislation introduced through the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2024
On 14 November 2024, the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2024 was laid in Parliament. This instrument introduces the following changes to sanctions legislation: Taken together, these changes will collectively improve the ability of HM Treasury’s Office of …
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Response to reporting on council tax
There has been speculation and media coverage on upcoming levels of council tax. The government has confirmed it will be continuing the previous government’s policy of a core council tax cap of 3%, and an additional 2% for local authorities …
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A consistent approach to Pupil Premium to improve outcomes for all
Headteacher Jamie Whiteside and pupil premium lead Hannah Smith tell us how they use pupil premium funding to improve outcomes for all pupils at St Clare’s.
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What happened at a canal in Uxbridge?
With deaths of wild swans increasing over part of the Grand Union canal in Uxbridge with no obvious cause, thoughts turned to a disease that is notoriously difficult to identify. Read more about how our Veterinary Investigation Officers uncovered the cause of these mysterious deaths.
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Responding to operational pressures
The criminal justice system has been under pressure for some time, but with early preparation and the increased use of video technology, our resilient court system kept justice moving, even in the most challenging circumstances.
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How can we test our designs with Welsh-speaking users?
How to add a Welsh language toggle to your prototypes so you can better test with Welsh users.
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Flashy crabs turn up in Brighton!
A colourful crab with white and orange claws and blue legs recently turned up (dead) in Brighton in the summer. After a second one was found this October (alive), the alarm was raised. These pretty, but out of place crabs …
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RPC publishes Corporate Report for 2023-24
We have today published the RPC Corporate Report for 2023-24. The report summarises trends in our opinions on Impact Assessments (IAs) and Post Implementation Reviews (PIRs). It highlights a decline in the quality of analysis by government departments – with only 59% …
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Online consultation events, factsheets and video now available
Book your place on one of our online consultation events- If you can’t make one of our in-person events, this is your chance to give your feedback of the five FMPs being consulted on. Factsheets and an overview video are now available for these five FMPs - find them on this blog post!
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We are simplifying the registration of personal covenants
We are standardising references to personal covenants, with documents available for immediate download via the portal.
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Supplementary codes: enhancing trust framework rules where needed
What supplementary codes are We’ve designed the trust framework to be as flexible as possible, so it shows what good digital identity services look like right across the UK economy. But in some areas, those who rely on digital identity …
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Assessing the viability of housing development sites
How to speed up the pace of housing delivery? By appraising potential development sites in minutes, not months. So says co-founder of Viability, Henry Mayell.
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West Penwith Moors and Downs (Halow ha Gonyow Pennwydh West) SSSI – an update on nature recovery in West Cornwall
By Julian Donald – Natural England Senior Officer for West Penwith Moors and Downs The prosperity and wellbeing of the people of Cornwall relies on a healthy natural environment with farming, fishing and tourism driving the local economy. This blog …
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Keeping ICT Sustainability on the agenda
Chris Howes shares his hopes for this year’s COP event and the opportunities it might bring to help us drive digital transformation. It’s that time of year again when climate change and sustainability rise to the top of the …
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How geospatial AI can help inform our land use choices
Mehul Doshi, Head of Land Use Programme, explains the role geospatial AI is playing in helping to address land use challenges. The UK has finite land that is under increasing pressure. To meet our energy, housing, and food security needs, …
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National Engineering Day 2024
Today is National Engineering Day and this year the focus is on making the UK’s engineers and engineering more visible, and to celebrate how they improve everyday lives and shape the world around us. One such engineer is James Ryan, …
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Understanding climate change risk to Namibia’s diverse fisheries sectors
In this Q&A, Georg Engelhard Principal Marine Climate Change and Fisheries Scientist at Cefas, discusses a new One Ocean Hub paper titled “Climate risk assessment of the fisheries in Namibia” and its associated policy paper. It is the outcome of …
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Our enforcement options to stop waste criminals
To carry out our regulatory responsibilities to protect the environment, we have a range of powers at our disposal. The severity of waste crimes varies greatly and our response to each incident is proportionate to the permit breach or offence …
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From AI to underwater microphones: improving the evidence base for marine mammals
By Samantha Parker and Emma Milner, Natural England marine mammal senior specialists Why are seal population numbers changing so fast along our coasts? How are porpoise feeding patterns changing as our seas become increasingly crowded? And how does the health …
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Coverage following launch of consultation on bathing waters reform
Today we are looking at media coverage following the launch of our consultation on Bathing Water reforms.