GOV.UK blogs

New measures to boost access to nature announced

The start of a search for a new National Park is amongst new nature projects announced today.

Government Digital and Data workforce growing at record rate

Every six months we collect workforce data from digital and data functions across government. In this blog post we share core insights from the last return.

Landscape Recovery: sharing the successful second round projects

In this post, I'm pleased to share the 34 successful projects in the second round of Landscape Recovery. This £25 million round will fund 12 more projects than the previous round, demonstrating our commitment to funding that delivers environmental benefits in harmony with food production. 

How GPs help us monitor the spread of flu and the effectiveness of vaccines

Established in 1957, the Royal College of GPs Research and Surveillance Centre is one of Europe's oldest general practice sentinel networks. It is an active research and surveillance unit that collects and monitors data from over 2000 practices across England and Wales.

The RCGP collaborates with the University of Oxford, and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in the running of the RSC, and in this blog we will explore the importance of surveillance data how it underpins our understanding of our health across the nation.

Charities must not become forums for hate speech over Gaza

This comment piece was first published in the Sunday Telegraph on 26 November 2023.  As aid lorries enter Gaza during the current pause in hostilities, we are reminded once again of the vital role charities play in meeting humanitarian needs. …

March Muses – diversifying celebrations one decoration at a time

From Santa and fairies to ballerinas and angels, Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Alison Burton of March Muses spoke to us about how she and her co-founder partner, Natalie Duvall, found success with their Christmas decorations of colour.

NCASC 2023: back to Bournemouth for big conversations

The National Children and Adults Services Conference (#NCASC23) returns to the Jurassic Coast and the Bournemouth International Conference Centre (BIC) this week (29 November – 1 December). Find out who, what and where in our conference preview...

GSE Awareness Courses in Action

We asked two of our GSE members, Olivia and Mick about their experiences with the GSE Awareness Level Courses – here is what they said. Mick, what role do you have, and what course have you completed? I’m Head of …

Improving accessibility in our courts and tribunals

Mike Williams, Deputy Director of Service Excellence at HMCTS, writes about how we are improving court accessibility and supporting people who have disabilities or require reasonable adjustments.

Farming in Protected Landscapes: interim evaluation findings

Through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme (FiPL), farmers and land managers can get funding to deliver projects that support and improve National Landscapes (formerly Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), National Parks and the Broads. In this post, I'll share an overview of the programme and findings from the recently published Farming in Protected Landscapes evaluation. The findings give a sense of how popular the scheme has been and the reasons behind it.  

OFSI successfully defends first Court Review

On 26 October 2023, the High Court of Justice, Administrative Court, delivered its judgment rejecting a legal challenge by Mikhail Fridman against OFSI’s decision to refuse to grant certain licence requests. OFSI has been at the front and centre of …

Exploring the science of droughts

The Environment Agency has undertaken its largest ever consultation of drought experts in England. The project pulled together the latest knowledge on drought, identifying what is known and what is not yet known about the topic.

How we’re harnessing the power of IoT to safeguard our trees

In National Tree Week, Defra technology innovation consultant Jon Griffiths shares his insight on how a collaborative project has been investigating where Narrowband-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) technology could help monitor tree growth, and support research into the role trees play in tackling climate change.

Data and the pensions administration journey

When it comes to pension schemes, how do we achieve operational sustainability, solve the administration dilemma and make the journey easier? In this blog we reflect on the steps schemes can take to lighten the load imposed by poor data, leading to increased automation levels and more engaging digital offerings.

Internships with the Regulated Industry team – Sankari’s story.

In the third of our series, we hear from Sankari, a master’s student at Sheffield Hallam University about their experience as an intern with the East Midlands Regulated Industry team.

LIFE in the Ravines: planting for the future

It is no easy feat, hefting heavy gear across rugged terrain, with young, tender saplings in tow. But that’s exactly the task of our amazing woodland restoration teams as they set about tree planting in the autumn and winter seasons. …

Let’s give social work with older people the recognition it deserves

I am delighted to host this blog from Gerry Nosowska, founder and Director of Effective Practice, which supported the Social Work with Older People research project. For too long, this vital area of practice has been largely unseen. Hopefully, as we build a stronger evidence base, more social workers will be deployed to work with older people and their carers.

APHA Science Advisory Board Vacancies

APHA are seeking two external board members to join their APHA Science Advisory Board (SAB). This is an exciting opportunity to work with, challenge and support senior scientists within the APHA Science Directorate in delivering new research to inform strategy, …

Get involved with the launch of early access to GOV.UK Forms

Find out how we’re making digital forms simple to set up and quick to process and how you can create a trial account to start building your own new forms.

Melin Llynon - Not your run of the mill food business

We spoke to Richard from Melin Llynon, a pastry chef and chocolatier bringing new life to the last surviving windmill in Wales. He told us all about his relationship with his Environmental Health Officer from Isle of Anglesey County Council and how it’s helped him to achieve and maintain a top food hygiene rating.

Instagram café’s food hygiene rating shows they have both substance and style

We spoke to Ryan Rowe from Cardiff café, LetThemSeeCake. This blog is part of our celebration campaign marking 10 years of mandatory display of Food Hygiene Ratings in Wales.

RPA grants and rural payments

RPA offers a wide range of grants and rural payments to farmers, businesses and local authorities. In this blog, and an upcoming series, we will be looking at the grants available in more detail, using case studies to showcase those …

VMD’s PATH-SAFE project – an update on AMR surveillance

The Pathogen Surveillance in Agriculture, Food and Environment (PATH-SAFE) programme uses the latest DNA-sequencing technology and environmental sampling to improve the detection and tracking of foodborne disease and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The programme which is being led by the Food …

The value of social care in the Topol Digital Fellowship

As a social care representative in the Topol Digital Fellowship, Preet Shergill, is committed to bridging the gap between offline and digital services and data, making sure social care professionals have equal access to transformative resources and opportunities. Find out more...

The Countryside Code: CBBC Newsround

By Bruce Cutts Senior Advisor, Natural England The Countryside Code is a guide to the outdoors. Whether you’re in the countryside, enjoying the coast, our waterways or an urban park, it’s there to help guide all of us through nature. …

We Are Strategic Command with WO2 Joseph Washington

In our latest article, we caught up with Joseph Washington, who talks about his role and what it’s like being on deployment in the Falklands Islands. Interviewer: Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your role? WO2 Joseph Washington: …

Introducing the Driver and vehicles account

DVLA’s new online service, the Driver and vehicles account, allows motorists to view their driver and vehicle information in one place and receive digital tax reminders. Rebecca Naylor, Service Designer, tells us more.

Autumn Statement 2023: what does it mean for apprenticeships?

The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt outlined the latest plans for the British economy in the 2023 Autumn Statement on 22 November. You can read more about this year’s autumn statement here. The Chancellor focused on economic growth, making it clear that building …

Understanding antimicrobial resistance in foodborne pathogens

AMR has been identified as one of the most pressing global challenges we face this century. Through projects such as IID3, we are able to learn more about AMR in foodborne pathogens with the aim of supporting work to prevent the spread. Part of our World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) series of blogs.

A Skilled Civil Service: the Policy Profession

A guest blog by Toyin Owolabi, Policy Profession HR Business Partner Civil Service policy professionals live and work in locations all across the UK. Some are based in cities, others in more rural areas. Regardless of location, they live alongside …

Carers' Rights Day 2023

Alex Chisholm and Rebecca Sudworth, Civil Service Permanent Secretary Lead and Deputy Lead for Carers, acknowledge the contribution of all our civil servant carers. Today is Carers’ Rights Day which provides a welcome opportunity to recognise the contribution of our carers. Around a fifth …

Share your views on public design

Serena Nϋsing from Civil Service's Policy Profession invites people who work in design in the UK public sector to participate in a national survey.

What we’re doing to speed up clinical trials in the UK

  The government has published its full response to Lord O’Shaughnessy’s independent review into commercial clinical trials in the UK. The response outlines plans to make the UK one of the best places in the world to conduct clinical trials …

The England Species Reintroduction Taskforce - the story continues

By Dr Andy Clements, Chair of the England Species Reintroductions Taskforce The England Species Reintroduction Taskforce is coming up to a year old and, having established membership, we held our first meeting (of four so far this year) in February …

Raising AMR awareness globally

This World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) we have invited colleagues from the three agencies in the UK Reference Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance to share what they are doing to build AMR awareness internationally.

Power of Attorney stories: Kamlesh  

[English] - [Cymraeg] A lasting power of attorney (LPA) allows you to nominate someone you trust, known as an attorney, to step in if you lose the mental capacity to make certain decisions yourself. They are legal documents that cover …

From red tape to rapid progress: how digital reform is reshaping government

Key to systemic reform is collaboration. Read more about why we are reforming the system and the four key pillars of work taking place in our latest CDDO blog by Angus Montgomery, Head of Strategic Projects at CDDO.

Inclusive language by design

Designing inclusively ensures we do not unintentionally exclude or disadvantage the people we build our services for. Sarraounia and Cara share how we’re guiding inclusive language by design.

Working Collaboratively Across Professions

Working in a multi-disciplinary team is important to deliver great services. Equally, it is important to make time for community. There are lots of ways we work in collaboration with our users and professionals in DfE (Department for Education). Our …

Seminar explains process of planning and running an in-service evaluation

Nearly 100 people logged on to the second UK NSC web-based seminar, which focused on planning and implementing an in-service evaluation.