GOV.UK blogs

Coverage of single-use carrier bag statistics

Today we are looking at coverage of new figures showing that sales of single-use plastic carrier bags continue to fall.

Start Ready - extending the reach

The ways in which financial assistance can be allocated to countries in need are discussed in this blog. GAD actuary Andy Jinks reflects on his first year on the Governance Committee of the Start Ready organisation.

We are recruiting Enforcement Team Leaders in the OPSS

The enforcement team at the OPSS is made up of three Deputy Director areas, each with a unique regulatory focus, but they all work closely together in order to deliver effective enforcement that helps protect people and places and enable businesses to thrive.

Maternity and neonatal care: How are we improving services?

The government is dedicated to improving safety for mothers and their babies to ensure standards of NHS maternity and neonatal care are of the highest quality. This is how we are boosting the quality of care in maternity services in …

Navigation Officers doing their bit for climate change on the Medway

Shaun Gage, Navigation Officer, explains how his team are managing the River Medway Navigation sustainably by cutting carbon, restoring nature, and ensuring the river is a great place to visit for local communities. The summer months are some of the …

Drought explained

In this blog we look how the Environment Agency and government prepare for drought.

UK Space Agency to bring its 'Space for Everyone' STEAM tour to Aberdeen

The UK Space Agency is delighted to announce that it will be docking its 72 ft model rocket at the Queen Links, Aberdeen from 3 August to 7 August, bringing the awe-inspiring 'Space for Everyone’ tour to the region. This …

Cross government heads of design update

The heads of design across government are starting a new initiative to make our work more transparent and open. We want to share what we are doing with designers in government and open a dialog between designers and the design leadership.

Media fact sheet: £600 million for social care winter workforce

The government is providing £600 million to help with recruitment and retention in social care. The fund will support the social care workforce and boost capacity in social care, in turn supporting the NHS ahead of winter and through into …

Preparing the market for statutory biodiversity credits

Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is a government strategy to develop land and contribute to the recovery of nature. As set out in part six of the Environment Act 2021, it is a way of making sure the habitat for wildlife …

Get ready for winter

It’s not even autumn (although you’d be forgiven for thinking otherwise, given the changeable weather) but already, thoughts turn to winter and our readiness, as care and health professionals, to deliver the support our communities need as service pressures mount.

Improving today, building for tomorrow

Following the publication of the annual report, HM Land Registry provides an update on work to improve processing times and build sustainable services for the future.

South Asian Heritage Month: Chintan's story

Chintan has been working at HMRC for just over 12 months. He explains how he came to start working at HMRC, about his role in the Pensions Process team, and some of the things he loves about working here.   My …

Mission Possible - Aeolus' re-entry into the atmosphere and how the UK is tracking it

The UK-built European Space Agency wind-observer Aeolus spacecraft returns to Earth.

Dartmoor: achieving a future with thriving agriculture and thriving nature

By Dave Slater, NE Regional Director for the South West Since our previous blog reflecting on the condition of Dartmoor’s special habitats there has been a lot of public discourse on what should happen on Dartmoor’s sites of special scientific …

Everyone needs that loving feeling (and training)

I am delighted to introduce Dr Claire Bates as the guest blogger today. Claire and her team have created a fantastic piece of work to support best practice, making sure sexuality and relationship needs are appropriately addressed and rights upheld. It's an excellent resource!

How to amend a hedge linear feature and make a land cover change

In the latest blog in our series about the RPA mapping process and how to carry out mapping-related tasks ahead of scheme applications, this blog will guide you through using a map to make amendments to hedge linear features, making …

Tackling our terminology

[English] - [Cymraeg] We know that some of the words and phrases we use can be confusing.  As an attorney, donor, deputy, or organisation you will come across our terminology in our forms, guidance documents, letters and through our online …

Social care superpowers

The #SocialCareSuperpower campaign aims to shine a spotlight on care colleagues with extraordinary skills who make a valuable difference to the lives of those they care for. Find out more.

Chair's stakeholder update - Call for evidence on new free trade agreement

We have launched an open call for evidence on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Our Chair, Prof. Susan Jebb shares how you can have your say.

Landowners warned not to be victims at the hands of waste criminals

By Sharon Owen, Senior Environmental Crime Officer My role as a Senior Environmental Crime Officer is to prevent, disrupt and stop criminal operations.  I have been fighting crime for the last 41 years. In that time, I have seen first-hand …

Coverage of update to extended producer responsibility scheme

There has been coverage in the Financial Times, the Telegraph, The Times and i News following our announcement providing further details on the extended producer responsibility for packaging scheme. The announcement confirmed that, following extensive engagement with industry, and in …

What we have achieved at agricultural shows this summer

Agricultural shows are the highlight of farming calendars across the country. Since May, Defra ministers have travelled to 16 different shows in every nation and region of the UK , speaking to farmers and land managers about our new farming …

Enabling AWS cross account monitoring using Terraform

In this technical blog post, we describe how to set up AWS cross account monitoring exclusively in Terraform.

RPA To Make BPS Advance Payments In August

In 2022, we made Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments in two instalments to support farmers and landowners at a time of increased pressure on cash flow.   Advance payments of up to 50% were made from the end of July and …

SEARCH - the best-in-class tool that will revolutionise patent examiner searches

Stephen Otter, IPO Senior Patent Examiner and Search Tools Manager, gives us the inside story on a powerful new patent search tool launched at the IPO this month that will revolutionise our patent examiner searches.

Where there’s a digital skill, there’s a way…

When technology is embedded seamlessly into care and support services, it can be transformative: helping people to live happy, fulfilled lives in their homes and communities. Find out more...

Government Science and Engineering Profession Recognition Week 2023

Professional Recognition Offer re-launch  The Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Profession is excited to relaunch our GSE Professional Recognition Offer, with Professional Recognition Week taking place 25 to 29 September 2023.   The Professional Recognition offer provides GSE members with bespoke …

Global space agencies return to London for NASA 's Moon to Mars Architecture Workshop

In June, the UK Space Agency partnered with NASA to host a workshop exploring Moon to Mars Architecture in London.

Transforming for a Digital Future - one year update

A year on from the launch of the Transforming for a Digital Future strategy, Sam Lawler, Deputy Director, Strategy, Analysis and Reform at CDDO shares highlights and learnings so far.

Celebrating our GIAA Insights engine

We're all rather excited in GIAA this week as we're celebrating the first anniversary of launching our Insights Engine! "What is an insights engine?" you may well ask. Let us explain ... Have you ever had a pile of documents …

Helping you to carry out realistic mock driving tests

Last Friday (22 July 2023) marked 13 months to the day since we first published guidance to help you carry out realistic mock driving tests for your pupils. Our latest blog post looks at the top 13 facts from the first 13 months of the mock test guidance.

Dr Collin Willson wins RCVS Impact Award

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has long been proud of all of its vets and the vital work they do. The challenge has been that this work protecting public health, animal health & welfare and underpinning international trade often goes …

A mixed-methods approach to co-designing Seabass regulations

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Welsh Government have just launched a public consultation ahead of a new Fisheries Management Plan for Seabass. Policy Lab partnered with them in the lead up to a formal …

Drones, festivals, and coding competitions – an update on DVLA’s STEM programme

STEM ambassador, Karen Pitt provides an update on DVLA’s STEM volunteer programme and looks ahead to Code Challenge 2023.

UKHSA strategic plan: Addressing health threats, saving lives, protecting livelihoods

Wherever we look - locally, nationally, internationally - hazards to our health are all around us. UKHSA was established to meet these challenges head on, preparing for health threats, preventing them if we can and responding effectively in order to save lives and protect livelihoods.

Today I’m pleased to introduce our work in more detail through UKHSA’s first 3-year strategic plan, an important staging-post in our development and a chance to reflect on the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.

Honour stories: social care's power of change

I am incredibly humbled and honoured to have been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for my contributions to personalisation, disability, social care, and health policy. This blog is a reflection of my journey and an exploration of why it is crucial to recognise people involved in social care.

Defibrillators: All state schools now have lifesaving equipment

Having access to defibrillators in schools drastically increases the chance of pupils, teachers and visitors surviving a cardiac arrest. Teachers and pupils across the country can be reassured they will have access to this life saving equipment, as all state …

EA at Plastics Future 2023 – sharing creative approaches to end plastic pollution

To celebrate Plastic Free July, Victoria Prowse and Helen Powers from the East Midlands Regulated Industry team write about their recent talk at the Plastics Future 2023 conference at Plymouth University.

Care plans with added technology

Social workers are playing an increasingly vital role in the use of technology within adult social care. They offer a unique perspective, one that holds technology to account to the standards, ethics and practices they themselves adhere to. Find out more in this week's guest blog...