8861posts
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Charities and campaigning: reflections ahead of the Senedd and local elections
This content is also offered in Welsh / Cymraeg. People across England and Wales will be going to the polls once again in May as the Senedd and local elections are on the horizon. Many charities will be preparing for …
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IPBES12: reflections on bringing the world together for nature in Manchester
Last week, the UK hosted IPBES12 in Manchester, bringing together the world's leading scientists and policymakers to tackle one of the defining challenges of our time – halting the loss of nature. It proved to be the largest IPBES meeting ever, with over 900 delegates attending in person. Read this post to find out more on Ruth …
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From Parity to Policy: The Northern Ireland Approach to Social Security
The role of the Northern Ireland member of the Social Security Advisory Committee is twofold. First, to contribute to the Committee’s work in general including scrutinising regulations, involvement in the independent research work and wider engagement with stakeholders. Second, to …
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Hinkley Point C - Supporting Sustainable Growth and Restoring the Severn Estuary
By Dave Slater, NE Regional Director for the South West Hinkley Point C will be the UK's largest nuclear power station, providing low-carbon energy to millions of homes. But building it in the Severn Estuary, one of Britain's most important …
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DVSA’s digital year in review: building better services
As we step into 2026, it's a fitting time to reflect on the progress made by our digital teams at DVSA last year. In this blog, Becky Thomas, Chief Digital & Information Officer (CDIO), shares some of the standout digital achievements from 2025.
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How breaking the routine fuels fresh ideas and delivers value
Every 3 months, DBT Digital, Data and Technology colleagues are free to pause routine work to test fresh ideas. They gain insight, build skills and deliver improvements for colleagues, the public and the wider digital community.
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A survey for the tenant farming sector
The Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector, Alan Laidlaw, and his team have launched a short survey to gather views on awareness of his role and the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice.
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Progressing my senior developer career with an apprenticeship
It’s National Apprenticeship Week 2026 – a chance to showcase the value of apprenticeships for both individuals and organisations. Apprenticeships aren't only for beginners or career changers – within MHCLG, we also provide them as an effective way for experienced specialists at all levels to grow professionally.
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Independent scrutiny – the foundation for growth
This is the first post in a new series on ‘Why the RPC matters’ from our Chair, Stephen Gibson, explaining the importance of our independent scrutiny.
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Professional Forester Apprenticeship: what you need to know
Applications have opened for joining our Professional Forester Apprenticeship this September. Programme Manager Gareth offers advice for anyone considering applying.
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Opening Doors with the DWP Social Mobility Apprenticeship
In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week and embracing this year's theme of 'Skills for Life', we look at the positive impact apprenticeships have on individuals, and for the Civil Service by shining a spotlight on one of the GFiE Pathways …
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National Apprenticeship Week 2026 - How apprenticeships can kick start your career
This article was written by Will Hayman-Brown, a content creator apprentice at the Department for Education. National Apprenticeship Week 2026 has arrived, bringing together employers, training providers, and learners to celebrate apprenticeships and skills. It's also an opportunity to inspire …
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Beaver Update: Two new licensed wild release projects, more to follow!
By Stuart Otway – Principal Officer, Complex Licensing; Delphine Pouget - Principal Officer, Species Recovery & Reintroductions; Giles Wagstaff - Senior Officer, Complex Licensing; Amy Radford – Senior Officer, Species Recovery & Reintroductions Two newly licensed beaver projects will very …
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Stomach bugs: A brief guide to their causes and treatment
Gastrointestinal illness - the kind of illness that makes us feel sick, vomit or have diarrhoea - affects people of all ages and is one of the most common health complaints in the United Kingdom. It is also one of the most common health issues that people experience when travelling abroad.
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Latest statement in response to small boat crossings
A Home Office spokesperson said: “This Government is bearing down on small boat crossings. “We have stopped over 40,000 crossing attempts since this Government came into office through our joint work with the French. We have removed or deported almost …
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STEM Apprenticeship Pathway Guide
We are thrilled to introduce the new STEM Apprenticeship Pathway Guide – an accessible and visually rich resource designed to showcase the huge potential of STEM careers across government. This guide brings STEM apprenticeships to life. It demystifies what they …
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Coverage of Pride in Place expansion announcement
There has been some national and local media coverage of a major expansion of the Pride in Place scheme, announced by the government yesterday. The new package is worth up to £800 million, allowing 40 new areas across England to decide where to …
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Defra’s T Level pilot: investing in young people and building digital capability in government
Hermione Blake and Zoe Whitfield welcome a group of enthusiastic T Level students to explore government digital roles.
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Strengthening assessment without compromising quality, by Carmel Grant
In our December 2025 blog, Deputy Chief Executive Gemma Marsh set out why apprenticeship assessment reform matters – we explained how simplifying and strengthening assessment can better serve apprentices, employers and the wider skills system. Since then, we’ve moved into …
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National Apprenticeship Week 2026 - Apprentice to Crisis Management Lead
Sue Richards – Crisis Management Lead and Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (CEng MIET) For National Apprenticeship Week 2026, Sue Richards, Crisis Management Lead for Ofgem, started her career as an apprentice and strongly supports alternative pathways into engineering and the …
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National Apprenticeship Week 2026 - From Apprentice to Leader: A 42-year journey in engineering.
Nick Jones - Engineering People Coach, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Ministry of Defence For National Apprenticeship Week 2026, Nick Jones, [Engineering People Coach, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Ministry of Defence] outlines how an apprenticeship can open doors you never imagined- shaping not just a career, …
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Celebrating one year of the cross-government low code community: a people-first approach
Five years ago, a handful of individuals across government started chatting about the challenges we faced with low code tools. What began as informal conversations which were often sparked by questions such as ‘does anyone know how to do this?’, grew organically into …
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UK NSC stakeholder engagement strategy updated
UK NSC stakeholder engagement strategy updated after comprehensive review.
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Dragons Den IP Blog - Series 23 Episode 2
There was much in the Den to marvel at in this episode. Innovation included skin care, ways to save, a sensational flavour bomb and a 'Swish' golf ball cleaner. Guest author Kelsey takes up the story...
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Building on the progress of the past year and moving forward
Looking back over the previous year, what strikes me is the huge amount of steady work that’s happened alongside significant change. Defence Reform and the Strategic Defence Review have rightly taken focus, but delivery hasn’t stopped. Across the CTO, progress …
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More than a helpdesk: user support’s role in helping GOV.UK Notify send 12 billion messages
User support – a necessary burden or a strategic advantage? Find out how GOV.UK Notify turned users’ questions into insights, team engagement and an improved service that has now sent 12 billion messages.
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What is Burkholderia stabilis, and why should I check my first aid kit?
Burkholderia are a type of bacteria found naturally in the environment, including in soil and water. Burkholderia stabilis is one species within this group. While many people never encounter problems with this type of bacteria, it can cause serious infections in certain …
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National Apprenticeship Week 2026: My apprenticeship journey
Esther Faith Rowland, Assistant Engineer – NPL For National Apprenticeship Week 2026, Esther Faith Rowland, Assistant Engineer, shares her journey as an engineering apprentice at the National Physical Laboratory, reflecting on her personal growth throughout the apprenticeship. Early inspiration and choosing the path When I began my GCSEs, I …
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Pattern principles in the welfare sector
Finnish designer, Janne Mattila, explains what makes something a public design pattern.
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Decent Homes Standard
There has been coverage and discussion on social media about the Decent Homes Standard and what that means for private renters. Read more here about the changes we’re making and why, as well as the new rights and tough rules …
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When Newsround comes calling: taking an enforcement campaign to a new generation
The IPO's Senior Media Relations Manager David Jenkins explains how a childhood favourite became a perfect platform for an important public safety message.
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Understanding technical architecture across local government
This blog shares insights on how technical architecture is used across local government, focusing on common patterns and challenges rather than individual organisation. It explores how shared technical layers can support collaboration, reduce duplication, and create more consistent foundations for digital services.
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ADOPT round 6 opens today: hear how farmers are using funding
As Round 6 of the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) Fund opens, we hear from two farmers who have received funding. Thomas Slattery from the Support Hub speaks to Bryony Graham in Essex and Peter Southwell in East Yorkshire.
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National Apprenticeship Week 2026: The value of a personal perspective
Dr Beverley MacKenzie As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2026, Dr Beverley MacKenzie, a lifelong advocate of apprenticeships, reflects on their unique value in combining academic study with real-world experience. Why apprenticeships matter From my experience, apprenticeships at all levels …
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Creating a Vehicle Examination Facility network for approvals tests
We’re transforming the way we conduct vehicle approval services, introducing Vehicle Examination Facilities for Individual Vehicle Approval and Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval...
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More support for children through foster care: what you need to know
Foster carers provide safe, stable homes for children who cannot live with their birth families. For many children, fostering offers the chance to grow up in a caring family environment, close to their community.
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Greener, Faster, Better: How Partnership Working is Streamlining Development on the Lower Thames Crossing
By Marian Spain, CEO of Natural England It’s not often that a major infrastructure project is associated with being green, but recently I visited a project which aims to be ‘Britain’s greenest road’. This is a bold claim but one …
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How the Better Regulation Framework promotes competition to deliver affordable prices, innovation and growth
The Better Regulation Framework requires departments to assess how policies affect market competition. Regulations can inadvertently harm consumers and growth by creating barriers for new businesses and innovative competitors. Policymakers should use the CMA's checklist to identify competition impacts and explore alternatives that protect smaller firms and potential market entrants.
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Funding Service: How we built a new funding platform for MHCLG
Over the past year, the Funding Service has been building a new funding platform for the department based on an entirely new single codebase. This post outlines the technical choices and approach that guided the build of the platform, and how the functionality will support MHCLG to deliver grants faster, better and cheaper.
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Introducing the new nutrient management planning tool on GOV.UK
Managing nutrients effectively is one of the most important jobs a farmer does. To make this easier, we’ve launched a new tool on GOV.UK.