7612posts
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UK Launches Planetary Protection Technical Framework
Planetary protection is the practice of protecting Solar System bodies from contamination by Earth life and protecting Earth from possible contaminants that may be returned from other Solar System bodies. Following months of collaborative work between academia, industry, the Civil …
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NHS AAA Screening Programme proves its effectiveness
A review of data has found that AAA screening in the UK has been effective and has contributed substantially to ongoing reductions in AAA-related deaths.
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Welcoming the Casey Commission
Baroness Louise Casey has begun her role as Chair of the Independent Commission (the Commission) into Adult Social Care. Baroness Casey marked the formal start of the Commission by chairing a roundtable with people with first-hand experience of the social …
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Guest blog: Benefits of engaging local communities in BNG
Rosie Whicheloe, Senior Planning Ecologist for a local authority in London, explains how she’s looking at the benefits of public engagement in BNG for the communities in which they live. Delivering social value alongside BNG is incredibly important in urban …
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Welcoming new pathways to GFiE Life Chance Recruitment
In Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) we develop, run and support life chance recruitment pathways across the civil service. In fact we’ve been helping departments and agencies recruit talented people across the UK and NI since 2018 - that’s seven …
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A day in the life: Policy colleagues engage with key RVN stakeholders
While discussing the role of Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) within the veterinary team, 2 members of the veterinary policy team in Defra headed to Swindon to visit a large independent hospital. They spent the day shadowing the veterinary nursing team, …
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Funding Service: Transforming an Excel spreadsheet into a user-friendly form
Find out how the Funding Service transformed a complex monitoring spreadsheet into a user-friendly digital form, helping to reduce admin burden for local authorities and improve data quality for policy colleagues.
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StaCU: A Year of Building Trust and Accountability
By Robin Simcox, Commissioner for Countering Extremism Today, we publish the first annual report of the Standards and Compliance Unit (StaCU), documenting a year of operations since its February 2024 launch. When I was tasked by the Home Secretary with …
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Juror Appreciation Week 2025: Understanding Jury Service
Every year, thousands are called for jury service, it's an essential part of our justice system. From eligibility and selection, to what happens in court, this blog offers a clear look at the process, with insight from someone who’s recently served.
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Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2025: guidance now available
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) opens for applications on 29 May, offering grants of up to £25,000 to help cut costs and boost efficiency on your farm. To help you prepare, we’ve published guidance on GOV.UK. In this post, we’ll give an overview of what the grant offers and how to apply.
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New Video Released: Marine plan policy assessment in decision-making
The Marine Planning Team are pleased to announce the release of a new video on marine plan-led decisions, now available to view on YouTube: Marine plan policy assessment in decision-making - YouTube This informative video is designed to support applicants, …
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When are year 6 SATs 2025? Key dates for parents and pupils
Year 6 pupils in England will soon be taking the key stage 2 (KS2) national curriculum tests, which are often referred to as SATs. The assessments are used to measure school performance and to make sure individual pupils are …
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Are we prepared for a drought? The water resilience challenge
With summer approaching and after several months of dry weather, many are wondering if the country is facing a potential drought. After an exceptionally wet 2024, this year has taken a dramatically different turn. From floods to drought concerns There’s …
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Working together to stop waste criminals
Waste crime is a scourge impacting communities, the economy and the environment. At the Environment Agency, we know only too well the impact criminals are having in the waste industry. Ranging from the ‘man with a van’ collecting rubbish for …
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Consultation opens on newborn screening for metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD)
The UK NSC has opened a public consultation on screening for metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD).
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Listening to our stakeholders: how feedback is shaping the work of the Trade Remedies Authority
Every year the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) undertakes independent research to understand how people and organisations we work with most closely rate us. We listen to ways they tell us we can improve, and what our stakeholders expect from us. …
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Blueprint for Modern Digital Government Comes Alive at GDS Local Government Innovation Hackathon in Leeds
Over 150 innovators from across local and central government came together to reimagine the planning system at the GDS Local Government Innovation Hackathon. 15 teams tackled real planning challenges with digital tools and AI – bringing the Blueprint for a Modern Digital Government to life.
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A philosophical approach to learning at work
Getting ready for this year's Learning at Work Week, 12 to 16 May 2025.
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World Veterinary Day 2025: moulding your professional identity
By Sion Rowlands This July, 28 years will have passed since I saw my name at the bottom of a lengthy list of successful veterinary graduates at Liverpool University. I was far from sure what that meant then, and to …
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Government Veterinary Services Lunch and Learn session April 2025
Have you ever wondered what roles there are for vets in government? Did you know vet roles exist in 9 government departments? Our colleagues in the Government Veterinary Service (GVS) held a chat to share an overview of their careers …
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Creating the adult social care workforce we need
More opportunities for career progression in adult social care Developing the social care workforce is paramount to success and delivering the ambition for change we want and need to see in adult social care. On 9 April, Secretary of State, …
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Bursaries available for 2025 health screening module
The UK NSC is again offering a small number of bursaries to study the popular health screening module at the University of Warwick.
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Come and meet RPA at agricultural shows and events this year
RPA will be attending many agricultural shows throughout 2025. This gives us the opportunity to have valuable face-to-face contact with a wide range of farmers, landowners and agents to discuss what’s important to you and get your insight and feedback. …
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Your guide to Civil Service Live 2025
Civil Service Live 2025 begins in Glasgow on 10 June, and registration for all events is now open.
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Risk and Responsibility
Dame Clare Moriarty DCB, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, reflects on the Committee’s Early Warning Signs report.
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Breaking the Space Boundaries: Why we need more female founders
Only 13% of space founders are women. At the UK Space Agency Accelerator, we've witnessed firsthand how targeted support can transform potential into success.
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How factors like your location, job or ethnicity can damage your health
Our new Health Inequalities in Health Protection report provides a high-level summary of the current state of health inequalities in England caused by infectious diseases, as well as environmental health hazards.
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Coastal Marine Planners - Spring Edition
We share highlights from across the marine plan areas, showcasing our engagement, events, and collaborative initiatives. From student workshops and coastal restoration to conference presentations and policy support, the coastal planners continue to champion sustainable marine management around our coast. …
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Sign up for UK NSC online seminar on breast screening and breast density
The next UK NSC seminar, on the topic of breast screening and breast density, will be held on 9 June. You can register for it now.
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How can schools celebrate VE day and what resources are available?
The 80th anniversary of VE Day will be marked on 8 May 2025 – signalling eight decades since the end of the Second World War in Europe. This year's commemorations provide a unique opportunity to connect younger generations with this …
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Bridging the evidence gap: update on research projects supporting FMPs
Explore the research addressing evidence gaps in fisheries management plans through our Research and Development projects newsletter.
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Single-use vapes: why it’s time to ditch them for good
On 1 June 2025, it will become illegal for businesses to sell or supply all single-use vapes. These include all ‘disposable’ vapes which are not refillable and use a battery which cannot be recharged. Read this post to find out how we got here and what this means for you.
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End-of-Life of an Offshore Wind Farm
The UK has been an early adopter of offshore wind, installing turbines in our waters since the turn of the century. We now boast 14.7GW of installed capacity, and in 2023 offshore wind produced 30% of the UK’s electricity needs. …
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What good regulation looks like and why it matters
The importance of good regulation in a challenging economic environment.
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The Mercian Project: empowering woodland owners to improve biodiversity
Rachel Bates and Russell Critchley are Woodland Biodiversity Advisors at the Small Woods Association. In this guest blog they reveal how a five-year project is enhancing biodiversity in woodlands in England and Wales.
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Two million lasting powers of attorney added to online Use an LPA service
[English] - [Cymraeg] Once a lasting power of attorney (LPA) has been registered, donors and attorneys can create an account to give organisations access to view the details of that LPA online. This allows banks, healthcare providers and other selected …
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Building a Digital Future: GDS and Stemettes Partner to Inspire Girls in Science and Technology
The Blueprint for modern digital government highlights the importance of creating public services that work for all citizens. As the next generation of both service users and potential digital and data leaders, these students offered invaluable perspectives.
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Building tomorrow's legal talent
Earlier this year, we partnered with the University of Reading to give law students first-hand experience of real courtroom advocacy through a speed mooting competition. With feedback from judges and legal professionals, students built confidence, sharpened their skills, and gained a clearer view of their future in law.
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Coverage of Council Tax Premiums
There has been prominent coverage in the past few weeks of council tax premiums on long-term empty homes and second homes, including in The Daily Telegraph which is campaigning against the measure. The government is determined to fix the housing …
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Second chance, not setback: learning from a service reassessment
How a Department for Business and Trade (DBT) digital service team found a service assessment to be a positive learning experience.