6144posts
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Protecting Model Updates in Privacy-Preserving Federated Learning
In our second post we described attacks on models and the concepts of input privacy and output privacy. ln our previous post, we described horizontal and vertical partitioning of data in privacy-preserving federated learning (PPFL) systems. In this post, we …
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How schools are using data to improve school attendance
In this blog, we hear from attendance leads from a school and a trust explain how they are using the Monitor Your School Attendance tool to improve strategies to attendance and have more meaningful conversations with families, head teachers and local authorities.
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Meeting our Water Needs for the Next 25 Years
When we make a cup of tea, coffee, or get a cold drink from the tap, we sometimes take for granted the huge journey that the water has been on. We may not be aware of the amount of work …
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In conversation with Westerfield Station Adopters, 2023 Bees Needs Champion
In this post, Defra policy advisor Sarah Galley sits down with 2023 Bees Needs Champion Westerfield Station Adopters to learn more about how they're raising awareness of pollinators and bees' needs locally.
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Enhancing Science and Engineering Capability: A Year of the GSE Awareness Courses
As we approach the one-year anniversary of the GSE Awareness Level Courses, we reflect on the impact they’ve had in shaping science and engineering capability across government. Your feedback has been instrumental in improving these courses, and we’re excited to …
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Royal Engineers continue Northern Defences transformation
Exercise STRONGHOLD took place last week in Gibraltar with Royal Engineers conducting various technical training exercises up at Buffadero Training Centre as well as a Civil Works Task alongside HM Government of Gibraltar’s Project Director, Mr Carl Viagas, at the …
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Animal Health and Welfare grants now available
You can now apply for an Animal Health and Welfare grant through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2024. These grants go towards the cost of items on a list that support animal health and welfare. We developed the list with farmers, vets and other experts. There are over 130 items on the list and 29 are new for this round. You'll see a range of items: from mobile cattle handling systems to enclosed piglet creeps to poultry perches. If you're a livestock farmer, it's worth taking a look.
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We Are Strategic Command with Robert Jaffier
Learn more about the crucial role of Human Security in Defence with Cdr Robert Jaffier, Human Security Lead at Strategic Command. Interviewer: Could you introduce yourself and your role in this context? Robert Jaffier: My name is Robert Jaffier, and …
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5 tips for managing your woodland this spring
Nature Recovery Advisor MacBradan Bones shares his tips on managing your woodland in spring.
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Spotlight: a catchment coordinator's work on the Dart Saltmarshes
In this post, Emma Magee shares what it's like to be a Catchment Coordinator in Devon.
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School funding: Everything you need to know
No school, child or local authority is the same and school funding needs to reflect that. That’s why sometimes it can seem complicated. Here’s what you need to know about school funding. How are schools funded? Most state-funded schools in …
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8 facts to level up your knowledge on Wargames
From digital networks to medical services, Strategic Command is responsible for a lot of different functions within Defence. This means there are probably parts you haven’t heard of, and even if you have you might not know how their work …
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The Holiday Activities and Food programme – when you need to register with Ofsted
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is funded by the Department for Education (DfE). The aim of the programme is to help families with enrichment activities and food for children throughout the holiday periods. The programme is for children …
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Recognising the vital work of conveyancers
Reflections on National Conveyancing Week and HM Land Registry’s work to support conveyancers.
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World Social Work Day: lived experience informs the very best social work
It’s World Social Work Day, bringing people together to learn, connect, and raise awareness of the breadth, value and benefits of modern, progressive social work. To mark the day, I’m delighted to present this blog from Jak Savage MBE, social care consultant, employer of personal assistants and an invaluable voice of lived experience.
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Further Government interventions in London housing market
As reported in the Evening Standard and City AM, today the Housing Secretary has directed the Mayor to conduct a review of London Plan Policies. The review aims to boost housing delivery in London and will focus on building on …
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Mind the gap! Lessons learned from Crossrail as a project delivery advisor
Alex Milbank, a project delivery advisor at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, reflects on his time working on the delivery of Crossrail, one of the most transformational infrastructure projects ever delivered in the UK. Today (Monday 18 March), the Department …
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Social Work Week 2024: How to qualify as a child and family social worker for free
Social workers play a crucial role and provide essential support to children and families facing a wide range of challenges, from poverty and mental health issues to domestic abuse and dealing with disabilities. There are several fully-funded entry routes into …
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Why we’re celebrating neurodiversity
In Neurodiversity Celebration Week Lauren Stephenson, Tara Sanders, Robert Walker, and Lizzy Miller tell us how the Civil Service is celebrating its neurodiverse colleagues through supportive networks.
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British Science Week Special - making future generations antibiotic aware
British Science Week 2024 wrapped up on Sunday, and we wanted to end the week talking about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and highlight the Antibiotic Guardian Schools Ambassador programme; a fantastic initiative which brings healthcare professionals into the classroom to encourage …
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Inspiring justice for the future
Understanding the justice system can be complicated at the best of times, but in partnership with the National Justice Museum our team at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court have been working to provide an insight for young people as part of their studies.
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Geospatial Summit: Planet, People, Place
The Geospatial Summit will be taking place this month. The Summit will focus on how recent innovations in geospatial technology can help us tackle resilience challenges.
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New UK NSC guidance explains how conflicts of interest can be mitigated
New UK NSC guidance explains how the committee decides if action is required to mitigate declared conflicts of interest by stakeholders and members.
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Cabinet Office's Women In Digital Network - Be The Change You Want to See!
Cabinet Office's Women In Digital Network - Be The Change You Want to See!
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British Science Week: Q&A with MHRA’s Deputy Director of Innovative Medicines, Shirley Hopper
To celebrate British Science Week, we spoke to the MHRA’s Deputy Director of Innovative Medicines, Shirley Hopper, to see how new medicines are approved. Q: What is your role at the MHRA? I’m Shirley Hopper, a medical doctor by …
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Meet the Modern Civil Service: Sarah Munby
Hello! Welcome to another interview in the Meet the Modern Civil Service series. The aim of this series is to showcase the people in the civil service who are driving innovation, whether that be through being a learning champion, embracing …
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How we value: pubs
In this instalment of our How We Value series, we explain how we value pubs across England and Wales.
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Next phase of TB eradication strategy
We look at coverage on the launch of a consultation setting out next steps for the Government’s TB eradication strategy.
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Protecting our freshwater fish species – why the close season is so important
Between March and June every year, many coarse (freshwater) fish will be preparing to spawn (breed and lay eggs), spawning, or recovering from spawning. This can be both stressful and exhausting and if they are disturbed, they may well decide …
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Time for Action as NPL Outreach does British Science Week
Andrew Hanson and Louise Gibbons, NPL The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the UK's National Metrology Institute, developing and maintaining the national primary measurement standards, as well as collaborating with international partners to maintain a global system of measurement. As …
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Over £25 million to preserve wildlife-rich habitats in England
In this blog, Zelda Baveystock tells us about the 20 successful projects that will receive funding through the Species Survival Fund.
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Dragons' Den the IP Blog - Series 21 Episode 11
We saw an IP-savvy bunch of entrepreneurs in the Den this episode, with every one of them having applied for, or obtained, at least one type of intellectual property right to protect their sparkly, snackable, medical or electrical innovation. Read on to find out how they fared.
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Inspiring a new generation of scientists
This week we are celebrating British Science Week, where all over the country, schools are finding new and innovative ways to ignite curiosity and passion for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). Find out about what APHA’s STEM ambassadors have been doing recently to bring our biological science to life for students.
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Yes, political think tanks deserve their charitable status
Think tanks are critical to our political ecosystem. It is because of the important role of think tanks in informing debate and educating the public that many of them hold charitable status in England and Wales. Yet the nature of these charities is too often called into question.
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Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship revenue claims are open for 2024
You can now submit your 2024 revenue claim for Countryside Stewardship (CS) or Environmental Stewardship (ES). You have until 11.59pm on Wednesday 15 May 2024 to submit your claim without reduction. Countryside Stewardship Last year we simplified the process for …
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Inside Britain’s Deadly Fungus Collection
Housed near Bristol, UKHSA’s National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi (NCPF) is home to more than 4,500 isolates of potentially deadly fungi isolates, gathered over the last century.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the history of the NCPF: why it was set up, what it houses and how it continues to play an important role in protecting our health.
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Developing a service to assess and understand cyber resilience in local government
The DLUHC Local Digital team is supporting councils in England to build their cyber resilience. Through our work to date, we know that one of the challenges councils face is having a clear baseline standard to assess their cyber security. To address this, DLUHC will be introducing the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) for Local Government in 2024.
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From application to agreement: making the process to join SFI simple
When you apply for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), we want your experience to be smooth and we want to offer you as much flexibility as possible. In this post, we’ll set out what you can do and what we’re doing to make the process of applying as straightforward as it can be, so you can join the 14,000 other farmers, growers and land managers who've already applied.
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A user-centred approach to the spending review process
What is a spending review? It’s no secret that in 2024 there will be a General Election, and after that a spending review. A spending review is how HM Treasury decides how to distribute the total amount of money the …
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The science of Natural England: now and then
By Dr Tim Hill, Chief Scientist at Natural England Science, evidence and evaluation sit at the heart of Natural England. Our teams work across a range of ecological, earth, economic and social sciences. With a strong focus on collaboration with …