7838posts
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The Importance of Ethics in User Research
This blog addresses the importance of ethics in user research within government settings. It focuses on the requirement for informed consent and ethical practices when engaging with users.
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Creating an inclusive workplace: Companies House as a Disability Confident employer
Companies House is a Disability Confident employer. Learn more about our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace for all.
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Drowning Prevention Week: what children learn about water safety at school
Swimming and water safety is a compulsory part of the National Curriculum at primary school to make sure that children are well equipped to enjoy swimming and know how to keep safe in and around water. As we head into …
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Spending Review 2025: a commitment to farming
Following the Spending Review, Defra has secured a multi-year funding commitment from HM Treasury. More than £2.7 billion a year will be invested in sustainable farming and nature recovery from 2026 to 2029. Funding for the Environmental Land Management Schemes paid to farmers will increase by 150% over this time period.
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Stakeholder update: June 2025's FSA Board Meeting
Cymraeg The next FSA Board meeting is being held in Birmingham on 18 June 2025 and it’s another busy agenda with lots to discuss. We have an update on the review of the discount we currently offer to meat plants …
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Protected Site Strategies – Problems Shared
By David Burton, Principal Officer, Protected Site Strategies “Whatever lies on the horizon, these reserves might just offer a simple vision of how good things could be.” Professor John Wedgwood Clarke, Wild Westcountry Odyssey 2025 So reflected academic and poet …
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Hot weather and heatwaves: guidance for schools and other education settings
There are several ways that schools can make changes to keep children safe in hot weather, especially as children are more at risk of becoming ill with heat-related issues than adults. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published updated guidance …
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Former Space Exploration Head Sue Horne awarded OBE in King's Birthday Honours
Sue Horne, former Head of Space Exploration at the UK Space Agency, has been recognised with an OBE in the King's Birthday Honours list for her contributions to space exploration and Mars science.
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The Partnership Between Salford Libraries and Salford Jobcentres
Public library partnerships with other organisations can be hugely rewarding - for both sides. Last week, we celebrated the role libraries play in sustaining economic growth as this year’s theme for Libraries Week. This is evident in the partnership between Salford …
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Lancashire charities making a difference
This week, Mark Simms OBE, spent time in Lancashire, meeting with trustees, volunteers and staff from a wide range of local charities.
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Raising the standard for water efficiency in the east of England
Water is essential for people, businesses and the environment. Unless it is carefully managed, England will run out of this precious resource at the times we most need it. As demand for water increases in response to population growth, the …
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Carers Week (9-15 June 2025)
Introduction by Rebecca Sudworth of the Food Standards Agency, Deputy Carers Champion for the Civil Service. Today marks the start of Carers Week 2025 - In the Civil Service, around a fifth of our colleagues are carers. They combine work …
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What does the Spending Review 2025 mean for education?
On Wednesday 11 June, the Chancellor delivered the next steps of the government’s Spending Review. A Spending Review is the process the government uses to set all departments’ budgets for future years. This covers both the services the public uses …
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A parent’s guide to summer infections and health hazards
As summer arrives, you’re likely to spend more time outdoors with your children. Lots of us love this time of year and it’s great to enjoy the longer days and warmer weather. It’s worth being aware, however, of some common seasonal infections and hazards to help you spot illness more easily and take action if …
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Spending Review Council Tax reporting
There has been reporting that councils will increase council tax by 5% in coming years as a result of the Spending Review. To safeguard residents against excessive hikes, the Spending Review confirmed the government intends to maintain the referendum threshold …
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Why do we have hosepipe bans during a drought?
Whenever we get a period of dry weather, the inevitable question is ‘Will there be a hosepipe ban?’ For most years it rains and the answer is no. However, after the driest spring in 132 years in England, and the …
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Call for evidence: expanding the role of the private sector in nature recovery
We've launched a call for evidence to better understand how we can support and incentivise business to invest in nature recovery.
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Getting water wise – Shared Standards in Water Efficiency for Local Plans in East Anglia
By Dr. Louise Bardsley, Principal Adviser Strategic Solutions, Natural England The East of England is the fastest growing region in England. It’s also the driest. Communities, businesses, farming and nature all need enough water to thrive. But without a fundamental …
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This opportunity is helping me grow personally and professionally every day
Hello Friends of GFiE This month the UK celebrates Social Mobility Day on 12th June. GFiE is all about breaking down barriers to opportunity and this month we celebrate our ongoing commitment to social mobility through our Life Chance Recruitment …
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Sailing towards sustainability: reshaping maritime carbon capture
Innovation in the climate tech space continues to accelerate as businesses seek solutions to our most pressing environmental challenges. Today we're highlighting Seabound, a UK-based start-up that's making waves with their pioneering carbon capture technology for ships: their innovative work has been recognised by the European Patent Office (EPO) as one of ten 'Tomorrow Shapers' …
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Supporting Ecological and Economic Resilience in the Maldives’ Marine Ecosystems - Ocean Country Partnership Programme
By Sarah Allison The Ocean Country Partnership Programme is a bilateral technical assistance and capacity building programme that provides tailored support to countries to manage the marine environment more sustainably, including by strengthening marine science expertise, developing science-based policy and …
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A greener future: how tree planting initiatives are transforming England's landscape
Richard Chapman, Deputy Director of Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund Tree Programme, highlights some of the tree planting initiatives happening from organisations across England, showing how we can work together for a greener future.
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Extract: Using AI to unlock historic planning data
This week, the Prime Minister officially launched Extract, the AI tool which the Digital Planning programme in MHCLG and the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence are developing to transform decades of planning information trapped in paper maps and PDFs into usable digital data. This technology will significantly reduce the time required to digitise documents from hours …
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How can I report water pollution and odour problems online? New service puts environmental action at your fingertips.
The new ‘Report an environmental problem' service is now live on GOV.UK, making it easier than ever to report water and odour pollution to the Environment Agency (EA) across England. The new online service enhances our existing telephone incident hotline …
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My journey: from vulnerability to Changing the Script on social work
Clair Graham talks about overcoming childhood challenges, the path to transformation, and champions social work's true impact.
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Deputy Prime Minister scraps outdated Vagrancy Act
It was confirmed this week (Wednesday 10th July) that the Government will formally scrap the Vagrancy Act by Spring next year. New legislation brought forward through the Home Office’s Crime and Policing Bill will instead focus on real crimes such …
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We’re making it easier to find MOT testing advice
We’re moving vehicle testing advice out of the MOT testing service (MTS) and onto a single, dedicated, and easy-to-access page on GOV.UK.
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Nature for Health: Greening Healthcare Sites for People and Wildlife
By Lucy Prescott, Health and Nature Senior Officer Restoring nature goes beyond protecting wildlife and increasing biodiversity. It is also about rebuilding everyday connections between people and the natural world. To achieve this, we must broaden our partnerships and engage …
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Heat Health: what you need to know for summer 2025
During the summer, many of us enjoy the longer days, warmer evenings, and time outdoors. But warmer weather also brings potential risks to health, especially when temperatures climb higher than usual.
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SMA Screening ISE partnership board updated on NIHR research call
The National Institute for Health and Care Research has advertised the research call for the in-service evaluation of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy.
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Celebrating and Supporting Carers during Carers Week!
This week we celebrate Carer’s Week 2025 June 9th – 15th, the aim is to shine a spotlight on the incredible contributions of carers and raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges carers face and recognise their contribution to families …
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AI in schools and colleges: what you need to know
Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. It’s already having a significant impact across the public sector - from helping police identify criminals to improving cancer screening in the NHS. That’s why we are bringing the AI revolution to classroom – using it to modernise our education system, to back our teachers and deliver for …
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The ocean is a climate ally: How the East Marine Plan can lead on climate action
Sian McGuinness from the Marine Planning team discusses a new study “The opportunity for climate action through climate-smart Marine Spatial Planning”, led by Plymouth Marine Laboratory “After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place …
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Supporting local government to reduce cyber risk through targeted interventions
The cyber threat to local government is real, increasing, and constantly evolving. Four years into the Cyber Support programme, we’re sharing insights on the impact of our cyber work.
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Enabling users to focus on what really matters
The Financial Forecasting Tool (FFT) represents a significant leap forward in operational efficiency. Here's how this transformation was accomplished.
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Government Veterinary Services at BVA Live (12-13 June)
Want to learn more about the work of the Government Veterinary Services (GVS)? Come and see us at BVA Live. We will be speaking at a few events across the 2 days: Thursday 12th June: 10:25-11:25: Business, Careers & Debates …
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Addressing concerns in the veterinary sector
An update on our market investigation, following our consultation on potential remedies for vet businesses When we published our consultation on measures to address potential competition concerns in vet businesses, we expected a broad and robust set of responses – …
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Join the Government Science and Engineering profession
On Monday 9 June the Cabinet Secretary launched the ‘Join a Profession’ campaign. This campaign is part of the government’s vision to enhance the Civil Service by investing in skills and leadership capabilities to drive innovation. The Cabinet Secretary is …
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Join a Profession: discover your professional community
Being part of a government profession is an important aspect of every civil servant’s career journey. Wherever you work, whatever you do, there’s a Civil Service profession waiting to welcome you and help you develop your skills and career, and …
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NHSE Cohorting as a Service Alpha Assessment
Read the alpha assessment report for the Cohorting as a service from NHSE.