7368posts
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Royal Gibraltar Regiment OP Teamwork
For the third year running, the Royal Gibraltar Regiment (RG) attended an Army-wide TEAMWORK Day activity as part of the overall TEAMWORK campaign at the University of Gibraltar. The University kindly agreed to host the RG and continue to build …
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Royal Gibraltar Regiment Prepares for Annual Training EX Jebel Tarik in the UK
The Royal Gibraltar Regiment is gearing up for its annual training exercise, Jebel Tarik, to be held on the ranges of Hythe and Lydd in Folkstone, United Kingdom. This deployment marks a significant milestone for the Regiment as it supports …
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New Standards and Compliance Unit launched - An update by Robin Simcox
Commissioner for Countering Extremism, Robin Simcox shares his thoughts on the launch of the Standards and Compliance Unit (StaCU). Just over a year after the publication of the Independent Review of Prevent (IRP), I am delighted to announce the launch …
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DHSC response to reporting on medical school places
In response to recent misleading reporting on the subject of the government’s drive to increase the number of medical school places, here’s how we are meeting our pledge to double the number of medical school places in England to 15,000 …
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PropTech company Searchland goes from strength to strength
In our new podcast, Searchland co-founder Hugh Gibbs explains the benefits of taking part in the Geovation Accelerator Programme and how it probably sped up the start-up’s development by a year, fast-tracking their journey from an idea to a business.
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XL Bully registrations
We look at the latest number of XL Bullies registered with an exemption scheme in England and Wales.
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Coverage of plans to designate 27 new swimming sites
Today we are looking at media coverage of this week’s bathing water consultation launch.
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Coverage of CMA report on UK housebuilding
There has been significant coverage of the publication of the Competition and Markets Authority’s final report on the UK housebuilding market study. The full-market study, supported by the Housing Secretary Michael Gove, was launched in February 2023 and the final …
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The SFI pilot: designing the improved offer with farmers
Since 2021, over 800 farmers in England have been testing an early version of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), delivering 10,000 actions on their land. In this post, I’ll explain how farmers in the pilot have helped us to shape the current and future offer. I'll also include a video which gives an overview of our work.
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Second place for RG soldier in Inter-Services Bouldering Competition
Royal Gibraltar Regiment’s Sergeant Alec Spooner recently returned to Gibraltar after claiming second place in the 2024 Inter-Services Bouldering competition in the United Kingdom. Sgt Alec Spooner's achievement of finishing second in the Masters category at the Inter-Services bouldering competition …
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An update on OFSI's licensing process and policies
This blog provides further information on how the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) makes licensing decisions. We outline both the process involved in obtaining a licence, from submitting an application to (if the licence is granted) receiving a …
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Waste criminals – we’ve got you in our sights
By Joanna Larmour, deputy director of the Environment Agency’s National Enforcement Service Waste crime has been going on for too long – and the Environment Agency is taking action. That’s why we’re committing more resources than ever to find, identify …
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Data Distribution in Privacy-Preserving Federated Learning
This post is part of a series on privacy-preserving federated learning. The series is a collaboration between the Responsible Technology Adoption Unit (RTA) and the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Learn more and read all the posts …
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DLUHC announces allocation of funding for council-led initiatives advancing innovative digital planning services
The DLUHC Digital Planning Programme is supporting further Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) through the latest funding round for digital services to improve planning. In this blog post, we announce allocation of funding for council-led initiatives advancing innovative digital planning services.
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Environment Officer Joseph Holder explains how weekly beach walkovers and inspections are helping to improve Weston-super-Mare’s bathing water quality
The Environment Agency conducts weekly sampling during the bathing water season, which spans from May to September. Across the UK, there are 424 designated bathing water sites, 49 of these sit within Wessex. Each one of these sites is …
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The Rural Payments Agency - embedding sustainability in everything we do
In this blog we hear from RPA’s Net Zero lead, Michael Sinclair who talks about how RPA is embedding sustainability in everything it does. I’m going to start this blog with a confession. I don’t consider myself to be particularly …
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A very busy week for Manchester Army Cadet Force in Gibraltar
Between 10 and 17 February 2024, members of the Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force visited Gibraltar for a routine trip. Twenty-seven cadets and support staff, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel William Royle, spent the majority of their visit utilising …
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Watch: Velcourt 2024
In this post, we share 3 videos from Velcourt 2024 featuring Farming and Countryside Programme Director Janet Hughes. The videos include an update on the agricultural transition, the latest on the farming offer in England and questions from the attendees.
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The support I have had has been unbelievable and I am so grateful to be working in such a nice environment
The Civil Service has over 20 Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) Life Chance Schemes in operation across Government, using innovative approaches to recruitment and providing Individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, who face barriers to employment, with opportunities and …
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Strengthening Sri Lanka’s preparedness to respond to oiled wildlife emergencies
Written by Jamie Small, from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), on behalf of JNCC and Cefas, The UK government's Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) team share updates on oiled wildlife response training recently delivered in Sri Lanka. JNCC and …
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The first phase of the Forestry Commission’s new approach to consultation is live
Back in September 2023 we announced our new approach to how we consult or seek advice and information on forestry proposals. This published statement set out how the Forestry Commission, on behalf of the Forestry Commissioners, will undertake consultation when …
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An Innovative Journey: Why 20% really matters
Guest blog by Ross Middleham, Creative Lead at the Met Office. At the Met Office, one of our core values is that ‘we keep evolving’. We are constantly horizon-scanning for ways to make improvements and deliver value. So in August 2023, …
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Media coverage on reforms to waste electricals regulations
Media coverage on reforms to waste electricals regulations There has been coverage over the weekend (Sunday 25 February) on our consultation on reforming the producer responsibility system for electrical waste. On 28 December 2023, the UK Government, along with …
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Completing Reform - Common Platform
In a recent blog, we set out how we aim to deliver the remainder of our Reform Programme over the next 12 months. Here, Crime Programme Director, Daniel Flury, describes in more detail what this means for crime reform.
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Why I chose to join Defra’s Cloud Academy: Steven Calder
Steven Calder provides an insight into why he chose to apply for an ICT apprenticeship in the Defra Cloud Academy.
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Climate change targets: Net zero, no hero for investors
“Net zero” has become a buzz phrase for climate-conscious companies over the past few years and has also infiltrated the world of investing. However, when it comes to investing, net zero targets are perhaps not the saviour that they seem to be in the corporate world. Find out more in this blog.
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UK Space Agency provides £500,000 through Accelerating Investment programme
The UK Space Agency has provided up to £500,000 funding to support specialist projects, helping to accelerate high potential UK companies and support them on their investment journey.
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Preventing the spread of invasive plants from your garden
In this blog, Lucy from the GB Non-native Species Secretariat talks to us about invasive plants and how we can identify these species as well as prevent the spread of them in our garden.
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Is hay fever season starting earlier in the UK, with the pollen count rising?
Hay fever is already common during the spring and summer months, but our changing climate could see some symptoms starting earlier in the year for allergy sufferers across the UK. Recent studies suggest that some types of pollen and other …
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Royal Gibraltar Regiment success at Jiu Jitsu Championships
There was more sporting success this week in the Royal Gibraltar Regiment (RG) as two members of the Regiment travelled over to the Combat Centre in Aldershot, UK to take part in the British Army Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships 2024. The …
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Build your career at Companies House
Have you ever wondered what it's like to work for Companies House? We've developed a new careers hub to help you understand the type of career you can build here.
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Bathing water classifications and short-term pollution
Our blog on 1 February explained how we approach monitoring, sampling and testing of bathing waters and our approach to keeping public informed and warned when there are short term risks of pollution which bathers would rightly want to be …
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Celebrating three years of the UK-Australia Space Bridge
Today marks a milestone as we celebrate the third anniversary of the UK-Australia Space Bridge.
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Royal Gibraltar Regiment Adventurous Training
Adventurous training is one of the amazing benefits to soldiers serving in the Royal Gibraltar Regiment and is designed to take soldiers outside of their comfort zone and push them to their limits. The courses available offer some amazing experiences …
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The importance of good planning for children moving on from the secure estate
Effective planning for when children move on from secure provision is vital. Our role The children’s secure estate is a very important part of Ofsted’s work. Within Ofsted’s remit there are 13 secure children’s homes (SCH) and one secure training …
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It’s never too late for user research
Content designer Rob Finch and his team reflect on how bringing in user research can be beneficial at any stage of a project.
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2023 summer interns - creating a new brand
Thea writes about her experience working in the CDDO Comms team helping to create the new Government Digital and Data branding.
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Dragons' Den IP Blog - Series 21 Episode 8
On a very wet and windy day, gummy sweets with purpose and waterproof pockets in sustainable beachwear were two pitches guaranteed to bring the sun out in the Den this week. But did the Dragons give them a warm welcome or a cold shoulder? Read on to find out more!
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Supporting farmers in sustainable food production while enhancing the natural environment
By Geoff Sansome, Head of Agriculture for Natural England Returning home from this week’s NFU Conference I am reflecting on how it always represents a significant moment for farming in England and Wales. Even more significant this year for two …
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Job Opportunity: Project Lead at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate
Are you motivated to control antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and are looking for your next challenge? Can you step up to provide leadership and motivation as part of a pilot project? Do you relish the opportunity to work with a wide …