7932posts
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Going underground: developing and testing an international standard for subsurface data
Dr Neil Brammall, NUAR Technical Product Owner, reveals his key learnings from the recent Open Standards code sprint event organised by the OGC and the role the NUAR data model has played in the implementation of key subsurface standards.
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Response to Birmingham City Council council tax reports
An article in the Telegraph today claims that Birmingham City Council residents face a 10% rise in council tax, and that this has been confirmed by lead commissioner Max Caller. This is not correct. No decision has been made or …
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Take a look at our Christmas-related creatures and plants on the Defence Estate
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – but that doesn’t stop the hard work that goes on behind the scenes across the Defence Training Estate every day. Our ecology and environmental management teams work tirelessly alongside the …
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Efficiencies and the power of integrating grant-making systems
By connecting Find a Grant, Apply for a Grant and Spotlight, we have further reduced the time, cost and potential for fraud and error in grant-making.
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Environment Agency bathing waters storm overflow data
The Environment Agency has analysed Event Duration Monitoring data on storm overflows associated with bathing waters across England for 2023. This data, provided to the EA following the end of the bathing water season (May to September inclusive), is a …
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Wigan Greenheart Landscape Recovery: an industrial past and a thriving future
The Wigan Greenheart Landscape Recovery project covers a combined area of approximately 1,446 hectares in Lancashire. In this post, project manager Tony Da Silva shares an overview of the site, its history and the project team's ambition to support a thriving natural environment in which people, wildlife and agriculture can flourish.
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Make a difference: helping older people cope with depression
Supporting and helping to improve the health of older adults is paramount. Depression is a common condition and while it is a problem all year round, as we approach the festive season, it does know harm to renew our vigilance and support of those who may feel particularly lonely or isolated at this time.
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Your Grants 'Introducing you to...'
RPA offers a wide range of grants and rural payments to farmers, businesses and local authorities. In this series of blogs, we look at the grants available in more detail, using case studies to showcase those who have taken advantage …
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Designing content for the ONS - an insight into the whats, wheres and whys of the team and how content they are in their roles
Our content designers help to ensure all of our publications are as well put together as possible, carrying out proof-reading, making sure our writing style is consistent and paying attention to the accessibility of our official written content. Jacob Starling speaks to Cariad Sealey, one of our current content designers, who gives an insight into …
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Response to i News' political newsletter about Blackpool
A political newsletter in i News on Friday (December 15) accused the government of ‘broken policy promises’ made to Blackpool and a lack of funding and investment. We strongly reject these claims, and our investment in Blackpool speaks to our …
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A glass half full: my adult social work journey
Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care and I recently visited Salford to hear about the way social care colleagues work with the council, the NHS, providers and voluntary and community sector partners. I was delighted to hear from one of their social workers, Donna Sharkey about her positive career journey...
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Reflections from COP 28 – Nature recovery for a secure future
The COP28 climate summit has concluded in Dubai with an agreement headlining on the need for a global journey away from fossil fuels. Behind the high drama of the oil, coal and gas economy were discussions about other subjects, including …
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How we reduced CSS size and improved performance across GOV.UK
We recently reduced CSS size and improved performance across GOV.UK pages by moving away from bundling all CSS into a single stylesheet served to all pages to serving smaller stylesheets containing only the necessary styles for each page.
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How the MOD is creating Psychologically Safe environments to enable project success
Evidence shows psychologically safe teams are more productive, innovative, and better at exposing and managing risk. Psychological Safety is a key enabler in building an innovative culture, high-performing teams, and promotes testing new ideas, whether they are successful or not. …
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Meet two Environment Agency interns helping to protect our water environment.
Our Summer Diversity Internship Programme (SDIP) offers students from diverse backgrounds the chance to kickstart their careers and give them an insight into the breadth of work undertaken by the EA. Ever wondered what this would be like? We spoke to Rion Hoshino and Siobhan Gunn, who completed the internship this summer, to find out more …
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Top tips on starting difficult conversations about LPAs
[English] - [Cymraeg] Starting a conversation about lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) with family and friends can feel uncomfortable. You may think family members can make decisions about your finances or health and welfare if you are no longer able …
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Charting a BNG course: Navigating challenges and embracing opportunities in Biodiversity Net Gain implementation
As we set foot on the path to implement one of the important nature recovery policies outlined in the Environment Act, a spectrum of emotions washes over us – from excitement to the daunting task of navigating this new terrain. …
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Working as a community to iterate the task list pattern
Task list has been redesigned following research and collaboration across government.
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Dishing up satisfying visits for hungry scientists
We regularly receive requests to visit the APHA’s science headquarters at Weybridge however, organising visits is a little like preparing a gourmet meal, bringing all the best ingredients together to fulfil visitor’s appetites! Sarah Stewart, Stakeholder and Events Manager reveals more.
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Adult social care workforce reform: a meeting of minds
The CareTech Senior Adults team hosted colleagues from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) recently. This included a meeting to discuss current workforce initiatives for the social care sector and then visiting services to meet with front line staff, managers and those we support.
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Shelter report on homelessness
This week, there has been coverage of a Shelter report which says the number of people who will be homeless in England this Christmas will rise this year to 309,000, including reports in the Mirror, Independent and Daily Star. We …
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DHSC publishes review of risk of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking in NHS supply chains
As part of the UK government’s world-leading ambition to tackle modern slavery, the Department of Health and Social Care has today published the Review of the risk of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking in the NHS supply chain. Building on …
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A Family’s Journey: One Mum’s journey to find a safe place for her children and finally call a house a home
Family Details Mum, Emily, lives with her 3 Children, Jo aged (13), Cathy (11) and Ruth (9) What happened and What services were involved? The family was open to a child protection plan and social care were involved following concerns from Education Welfare officer. This was …
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Our year in focus
As 2023 comes to a close, our Chief Executive Officer Nick Goodwin, reflects on some of the achievements and challenges that this year has brought.
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A Christmas message from the FSA
We wish you and your loved ones a happy Christmas and New Year.
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Survey's positive feedback for UK NSC blog and web pages
UK NSC survey results give big thumbs-up to blog and constructive feedback on web pages.
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The Times on housebuilding
Today’s leading article in the Times claims that the government has failed to deliver on its manifesto pledge to deliver a million homes over the course of this Parliament. We entirely reject this claim. We are building more homes and …
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Future impact of Space Debris on Global Industries
Space debris prompts questions about how well we look after our environment, and what we can do to be better custodians in the future. Although advanced technical societies have come to increasingly rely on space based infrastructure, they have, so far, failed to meaningfully address the scale of accruing orbital debris. Only very recently has …
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The benefits of joining the Home Office Data Profession
What career and learning support do our Data Scientists enjoy at the Home Office? Sophie Stewart explains.
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Allonby Bay Coastal Connections Project: exploring and celebrating our coastal heritage
Our vision at Natural England, is of thriving nature for people and planet. Our aim is for everyone is able to enjoy nature’s benefits and act for the environment, wherever they live. We want to support people in recognising the …
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OFSI publishes details of frozen asset reporting for financial year 2022-23
On 14 December 2023, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) published its Annual Review for the financial year 2022 to 2023 containing reporting on assets frozen under UK financial sanctions regulations. This blog explains more about the two separate reporting …
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Opportunity, diversity, and our Shadow Executive Board
At the conclusion of Disability History Month, Stephen Jenkins, Rich Stanley, and Laurie Doyle reflect on the value of a key staff forum which encourages inclusivity and diversity, and which has provided each of them with a vital learning and development opportunity.
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The Advanced British Standard: Everything you need to know
The Prime Minister has announced plans to develop a new qualification framework called the Advanced British Standard for 16 to 18-year-olds which will bring together the best of A levels and T levels into a single qualification framework. The Advanced …
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Meet the Modern Civil Service: Ravi Chand
Hello! Welcome to the second interview in the Meet the Modern Civil Service series. The aim of this series is to showcase the people in the civil service who are innovating change, whether that be through being a learning champion, …
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Safe, efficient, and trusted digital navigation for mariners
The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has recently begun working with international partners on a compliant digital solution for mariners requiring non-ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and information System) navigation.
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Government ‘minded to’ escalate intervention at Nottingham City Council
Today the Minister for Local Government has announced that the Secretary of State for Levelling Up is ‘minded to’ escalate the current intervention at Nottingham City Council and appoint commissioners, due to serious concerns around the authority’s finances and governance. …
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Working with HMRC to shut down illegal waste exports
There are many types of waste crimes committed by those who think there is a quick buck to be made from illegally handling waste. One of those crime types is the illegal export of waste from our shores to places …
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We Are Strategic Command with Brigadier Richard Carter
Brigadier Richard Carter talks about the indispensable role of Defence Digital in enabling communication and operations across Defence. Interviewer: How does Defence Digital support operations across Defence? Brigadier Carter: Without Defence Digital, communication across Defence, including emails and command and …
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Dartmoor – next steps from the Independent Review
By Dave Slater, Natural England Regional Director for the South West The Independent Review of Protected Site Management on Dartmoor has been published today and makes a number of recommendations on the future of Dartmoor. We welcome this review and …
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Final round of Brownfield Land Release Fund 2 to deliver more homes
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has announced today that councils across England will be able to bid for a share of the final round of the £180 million Brownfield Land Release Fund 2. This latest round will …