7400posts
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Future directions for design and public policy
Professor Liz Richardson from University of Manchester reports on the discussion at the latest Design and Policy Network event.
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Water company customer complaints
The Consumer Council for Water has today published a report on the complaints made to water companies in England and Wales by households in 2022-23 and several media outlets including the Independent, Mirror, Sun, Telegraph and Guardian have covered it. …
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The Green Libraries Partnership
As referenced in our earlier blog, during Green Libraries Week, 2 to 8 October, Green Libraries Partnership are working with libraries across the UK to encourage library users and non-users of all ages to ‘Go Green at the library’. The …
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What we mean by digital
Defra Chief Digital Officer Chris Thorn explains how the work to develop a Digital Transformation Strategy for the Defra group of organisations is gaining momentum, due in part to a strong focus on seeing digital as a way of thinking rather than just a technology or a service.
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Spotlight on DDaT Webinars: Illuminating the World of Digital, Data, and Technology
The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) showcase their Spotlight webinars, where experienced practitioners share their insights, experience and expertise with those not working in digital, data or technology roles.
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People-Centred Policy Design: free five-part course now live on FutureLearn
Policy Lab and the Policy Profession have launched a new, free five-part course called People-Centred Policy Design, on FutureLearn. The course will help policy makers apply innovative, people-centred tools and methods. This course is for policy makers interested in integrating …
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Leopards and more: monitoring rare wildlife in Brunei’s jungle training areas
One interesting element of my job recently has been a study we’ve been working on in British Forces Brunei (BFB)’s jungle training areas to monitor whether training has any impact on the local wildlife. We’ve been working with the Brunei …
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Watch: SFI webinar for organic farmers
On 13 October, we held a webinar on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for organic farmers and growers in partnership with the English Organic Forum. In this post, you'll find a link to a recording of the webinar.
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Dyslexia – a different way of thinking
The IPO has recently been proud to achieve the British Dyslexia Association SMART award, in recognition of good practice when supporting the needs of dyslexic and neuro-diverse individuals. Here we take a look at how colleagues with dyslexia are able to contribute positively to life and work at the IPO through their 'different way of thinking'.
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From our social media manager to yours: why implement a social media policy?
New guidance published by the Charity Commission makes it clear that charities who use social media should have a policy in place and ensure that it’s followed. But, when you’re busy in the day-to-day (creating and scheduling posts, researching new …
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How can School Resource Management Advisers (SRMAs) help you?
Lindsey Roberts, Engagement and Outreach Coordinator for the School Resource Management team, explains how the DfE's School Resource Management Adviser (SRMA) programme can support you with managing your school or academy trust’s finances or resources.
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RPA Annual Report and Accounts 2022-2023
If you’ve not already seen it, check out the RPA’s Annual Report and Accounts for 22-23 ‘Supporting the Rural Economy'. Paul Caldwell, RPA CEO said: 2022-23, was an eventful and successful year for the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). We faced …
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Reconnecting communities with nature through local libraries
In our increasingly fast-paced and urbanised world, the need to reconnect with nature has never been more pressing. Recognising this, Natural England and Libraries Connected have joined forces to launch the Culture Nature project, a ground-breaking initiative aimed at bridging …
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 2023 marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is focused on spreading awareness and access to resources to support people living with cancer. Macmillan.Org.UK has information devoted to education and the importance of early detection, to assist people at every …
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Waste exemption changes to prevent crime in the waste sector
Our mission is to stop crime in the waste sector altogether. One of the ways we can do this is through working with Government to improve the regulatory system to make it harder for crime to be possible. Reforming waste …
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Diabetic eye screening changes for people at lower risk in England
The NHS in England will this month start inviting people at lower risk of diabetic retinopathy for diabetic eye screening every 2 years instead of every year.
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Data is not the answer
"The key to solving the challenges of the social care sector lies in the hands of the right people using data to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions. Data gives you information. Wisdom is the ability to understand that information and translate it into actions and insights."
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Glasgow to Oslo: How the UK's Next Generation is Tackling Climate Change
Joe Gibbs, Engineering Manager of the University of Glasgow’s OirthirSAT team, was sponsored as part of our Nanosat Competition Programme to attend the 2023 Global Space Conference on Climate Change in Oslo.
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How we’re opening up access to GOV.UK Forms
Find out what we’ve been up to on GOV.UK Forms to open up access to even more government users, and make document-based forms a thing of the past.
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India Buildings Liverpool: Where my story began
What does ‘going into the office’ look like for you? For many, it’s a hybrid approach. A minimum of 2 or 3 days a week working from a modern office building. Flexible workspaces, adaptable furniture; many even boast wellness zones …
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The UK Forestry Standard Review
Ian Tubby, Head of Policy and Advice, introduces the 5th edition of the UK Forestry Standard, highlighting some of the changes, and outlining the next steps for transitioning to the new UK Forestry Standard.
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What Does Black History Month Mean To Me As A Black Woman?
A blog by Charlotte Dick Charlotte Dick is the lead for patient safety, governance and innovation within Defence Medical Services. As a Black woman, Black History Month holds deep significance and meaning. It represents a time to reflect, celebrate, and …
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Developers share experiences of successfully delivering biodiversity net gain
How are homebuilders delivering biodiversity net gain while also delivering the homes people need? In this blog, Helen Nyul, Group Head of Biodiversity at Barratt Developments, Neil Beamsley, Group Head of Biodiversity at Bellway Homes and Louise Clarke, Group Head …
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A day in the life of a Senior Project Manager in Defra Digital, Data and Technology
Senior Project Manager Kieran Lewis lifts the lid on a typical day in his world, working across different projects and balancing differing priorities.
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Increasing the Countryside Stewardship payment rate for top fruit organic conversion
We are pleased to announce that we’re increasing the Countryside Stewardship payment rate for option OR5 (organic conversion – top fruit). We have listened to feedback from farmers and recognise that this option requires greater effort and investment as a …
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Coverage of the introduction of restrictions on a range of single-use plastics
Today we are looking at coverage following the introduction of restrictions on commonly-littered single-use plastic items on Sunday.
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Introducing the Woodland Ambassador programme
Our new Woodland Ambassador programme has launched. Find out more about what they will be doing.
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Nutrient mitigation scheme continues to unlock new homes and protect our waterways.
By Mike Burke, Director of Sustainable Development, Natural England. Government confirmed recently that the Nutrient Mitigation Scheme is still open for business. We hope this is welcome news for developers and Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) as it will provide the …
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Green Libraries Week
This October, the annual Libraries Week transforms into Green Libraries Week, to celebrate the work going on in libraries across the UK focused on sustainability and climate change. Libraries have shown their flexibility and ingenuity in support of a better …
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The role of genetics in medicine safety
Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) highlights how genetics could play an important role in minimising the risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and how the MHRA are working with partners …
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Water company draft business plans published
Today water companies are publishing draft business plans which set out their proposed spending from 2025 to 2030.
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Find a Grant: Six months into making it mandatory for UK exchequer-funded government grants
Lucia Webster updates on Find a Grant on the six month anniversary of the ministerial mandate for the service to be used to advertise all eligible government grants.
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UX Scotland 2023: my highlights
Learning from User Centered Design (UCD) experts at UX Scotland
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What are T Levels?
It's T Levels week, a week that focuses on continuing to raise awareness of the many T Level subjects now available and showcase the success of the programme. So we thought in this blog post we'd revisit what T Levels …
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Top tips for managing menopause in the workplace
To mark Menopause Awareness Month, the Equality Hub is working with employers and professional membership bodies like the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) who have surveyed their members to identify what good support looks like for women experiencing menopause in the …
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National Customer Service Week: Putting the ‘you’ into user research
In National Customer Service Week user researcher Will Roissetter explains how being customer-centric is helping design a new service for packaging producers.
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State of Nature
Dr. Pete Brotherton, Director of Science Yesterday saw the publication of the fourth State of Nature (SON) Report, the product of a collaboration of environmental NGOs, academic institutions and government agencies, including Natural England. The report provides the most comprehensive …
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Corhyn Parr talks inclusion and building female representation within the NDA group
To mark National Inclusion Week, Corhyn Parr, CEO of Nuclear Waste Services, part of the NDA group, shares her views on the importance of creating inclusive workplaces and the success of our partnership with the Whitehall and Industry Group …
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Using data to end rough sleeping
At DLUHC, Charlie O’Halloran’s team have built a new data framework to give them fresh insights into the complex nature of rough sleeping When I joined the Civil Service and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Directorate in late 2021, I had …
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How the Period Products Scheme is removing barriers in education
Nobody should have to miss out on education because of their period. That’s why we launched the Period Product Scheme which provides pupils and students with period products when they need them in their place of study. Since its launch in …