6143posts
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Setting up major projects for success: A site visit to Sellafield
Vishal Shethwood, Project Delivery Advisor at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), shares his thoughts on the importance of front-end loading as he visits one of Sellafield’s projects on the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP). Dealing with UK’s nuclear legacy …
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Introducing Animal Health and Welfare grants
Now that the Annual Health and Welfare Review is open, I’d like to share more about the next step on the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway: Animal Health and Welfare grants.
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Productivity and Slurry grants: time to apply
A few weeks ago, I blogged about the latest round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. In my post, I gave an overview of the fund. I explained that it is made up of 2 themes. One theme is Productivity and Slurry. The other theme is Animal Health and Welfare. I’m pleased to say that you can now apply for a grant under the Productivity and Slurry theme.
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Our record on farming: 30 actions we have taken to support our farmers and growers
We are re-investing £2.4 billion per year in the sector through new farming schemes Provided farmers with extensive detail on the ELMs scheme, ensuring there is something for every farmer including uplands and tenants. Accelerated the rollout of the Sustainable …
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Shaping the Data Marketplace through User Research
As part of the 2022-2025 roadmap for digital and data, the Central Digital and Data Office is working on developing a Data Marketplace for departments.
We’re taking a user-centred approach to this work, focusing on the needs of those civil servants who use data in their roles, whether that’s for operational or analytical purposes. Read more about CDDO’s ambitious user research, three-stranded, programme: discover data; design a data share; and deliver data consistently. -
Operators and large loader cranes on lorries – know your responsibilities
Operators need to know their responsibilities when using large loader vehicle mounted cranes.
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Companies House is hiring commercial professionals
Companies House is hiring commercial professionals to join us in Cardiff. You’ll help us deliver digital transformation and legislative reform. It’s an exciting time to be working in the commercial profession, and we’d love you to come and join us.
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Protecting nature through our enforcement work – latest data published
By Stephanie Bird-Halton, National Delivery Director. At Natural England our mission is to build partnerships for nature’s recovery, which is reflected in our work with a wide range of people to rebuild sustainable ecosystems and protect and restore habitats, species, …
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HM Land Registry wants your views
Our quarterly customer satisfaction surveys in conjunction with Ipsos are your opportunity to have your say, rate our service and give us your views to help us focus our efforts where you think they are needed most. Our latest fieldwork begins on Tuesday 21 February and runs until Sunday 19 March.
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Storm overflow actions plans
On Monday 20th February, the Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey set out a clear ask for all water companies in England to share their plans on improving Britain’s water infrastructure. As part of a drive for better water quality, every water …
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Supporting the training of Ukrainian forces on the UK Defence Training Estate
This week marks the one-year anniversary of the illegal and unprovoked full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. As part of the international effort to support Ukraine, a programme of operational training of Ukrainian forces, supported by both UK and partner nations …
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How we value: self-catering holiday homes
Sam Shand is a Lead Valuer in the Regional Valuation Unit. Here, Sam discusses our approach to valuing self-catering holiday homes, as well as the new rules on business rates eligibility.
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Become a content designer in Defra’s future farming team
Defra is recruiting content designers for its future farming programme. Sue Agnew, Jenn Brookbanks and Tom Metcalf recently joined the team. Read about their experience of the content design role and what they enjoy about it, to help you decide if this role is right for you.
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NHS Fraud - media fact sheet
This fact sheet sets out the Department of Health and Social Care’s response to claims that the NHS has lost £7.5bn to fraud in the last six years. Statement from 17 February 2023 A government spokesperson said: “These claims are …
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Climate and environment review of 2022
In this blog we look at the impact of global climate change. In 2022 we saw devastating floods impacting an estimated 33 million people in Pakistan, wildfires causing destruction across Europe, and temperatures in the UK reaching more than 40°C.
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Nursing associate stories: challenging myself to deliver better care
Chelsea Batchelier, 25, joined Royal Star and Garter at the start of lockdown. She has just begun her student nursing associate (SNA) course and is looking forward to what the next two years have in store. "I wanted to challenge myself, because I’ve always had a passion for caring for people."
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Funding scheme opens in support of nuclear test veterans
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs has made £200,000 available to organisations to bid for in support of nuclear test veterans. Organisations will be able to bid for up to £70,000 each to run community-led programmes that help to recognise and …
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New Forest Pannage Ham receives GI status
New Forest Pannage Ham has been registered as a protected food under the UKGI scheme.
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Join our Science Advisory Committees in 2023
We're looking for new members to join our Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs). This year, for the first time, we are looking for both full members and associate members. The latter category is specifically aimed at early and mid-career researchers.
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How we are protecting children and young people from dangerous ideologies including right-wing extremism
Education plays a vital role in preparing our children and young people for life in a modern and diverse Britain. Protecting pupils from the risk of radicalisation forms part of schools’ wider safeguarding duties, alongside protecting children from other harms, …
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Forestry Apprenticeship: Your questions answered
During National Apprenticeship Week (6 to 12 February), we held a live #AskAnApprentice Twitter Q&A to give you the opportunity to ask our panel of experts about our Forestry Apprenticeship.
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Introducing MOD.UK Frontend and the Design Library
We’re proud to launch 2 products that will help the Ministry of Defence (MOD) create consistent digital products and services. As the product manager on the Frontend team, I can’t wait to see designers and developers use MOD.UK Frontend and …
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Dragons’ Den, Series 20 Episode 7
Tonight’s booming episode of Dragons’ Den was as productive as it gets! Various deals were shared around the Den, offered by free-handed investors and rejected by wary, self-assured entrepreneurs.
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Gamekeeper sentenced for raptor persecution illustrates wider problem of wildlife poisonings
By Stephanie Bird-Halton, National Delivery Director. Today, Paul Allen, a gamekeeper working on the Shaftesbury Estate in Dorset, was sentenced for offences of possession of dead buzzards, keeping of banned pesticides and failing to comply with conditions of shotgun and …
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Social Security Advisory Committee: a unique and valuable body
Prior to my appointment to the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC), my work at the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group was primarily focused on tax and tax credits. At that time, I had developed a special interest in the tax …
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The new driver services platform: the work done so far and what's next
In this blog post, Jacqui Turland, Service Owner for the driver services platform (DSP), gives an update about the work on the project so far, what’s been achieved to date and what the next steps are.
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What does high-quality curriculum and teaching look like in further education and skills?
Our Annual Report 2021/22 showed a broadly positive picture for the further education and skills sector. 80% of providers are good or outstanding. Most of the sector is providing high-quality education for learners and apprentices, despite the pandemic and …
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How trees can stack up to help your farm business diversify
Peter Knox is a Business Development Advisor with the Forestry Commission. A key aim of his work is helping farmers become more resilient through incorporating trees into their farm businesses. Based in the Penrith Office, Peter oversees an exciting area for …
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Coverage on phosphorus pollution from agriculture
There has been coverage today in the Times – part of its Clean It Up campaign - regarding guidance for farmers to reduce and prevent agricultural pollution into waterways. The piece states that ministers have been accused of giving farmers …
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Reflections on my time with the Social Security Advisory Committee
I have been a member of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) since 2016 and, as my term comes to an end, I want to reflect on what a fascinating role it has been. When I was first appointed, I …
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Finding my purpose in climate change work in government
Ahead of a major Civil Service environmental conference, which is supported by the Government Actuary's Department, one of GAD's actuaries, talks about the growth of his involvement in climate-change related work.
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Ensure your land mapping data is up-to-date ahead of scheme applications and claims
Farmers are being urged to ensure their land mapping data is up-to-date before making scheme applications and claims in 2023. RPA uses digital maps to record physical land parcel boundaries and land covers, and this data is key to the …
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Natural England wildlife licensing statistics for 2022
By Stephanie Bird-Halton, National Delivery Director Many wild animals and plants are protected in law by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. As nature conservation adviser and regulator, one of Natural …
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Simple screening comparisons between countries mask complex differences
Variation in how health services are delivered and funded, how screening is described and how screening policy is made help explain differences between countries and regions in what conditions they screen for.
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Using Data Science for Next-Gen Statistics
As the 21st century progresses, using data effectively has become a priority for many organisations, including the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The ONS's unique focus, however, goes beyond just utilising data effectively. The organisations ultimate goal is to create …
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Exploring Earth Observation
What is Earth Observation? Earth Observation (EO) refers to the collection, analysis and presentation of data to better understand our planet. These data are collected by a range of instruments on land, in the sea, in the air, or in …
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RPA’s strong performance helps farmers and rural businesses across the country
Recently, Defra shared an environmental land management scheme update including the full range of actions, payment rates and when they’ll be available, with a summary on the Future Farming blog. With more exciting opportunities in existing and new schemes to …
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The Turing Scheme: what is it and who is it for?
Over the past two years, the Turing Scheme has provided funding for schools, colleges and universities across the UK to offer their students the chance to develop new skills, gain international experience and boost their employability by studying and working …
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Our Technical Cloud Community is blooming
Our cross-government Cloud community is helping us make the right decisions about Cloud: Which Cloud? Private or Public? Managed service? Infrastructure as code? In this blog Phil Chatterton, Chief Enterprise Architect shares his thoughts on what next.
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Launch of the new GOV.UK Prototype Kit
The new version of the Kit makes creating and updating prototypes of government services easier for all users, particularly those getting started with the Kit.