8482posts
-
Meet the first organisations piloting Nature Investment Standards
Protecting and restoring nature in the UK needs both public funding and private investment. As nature markets have emerged – selling everything from carbon credits generated by peatland restoration to biodiversity credits from creating new habitats – we've realised something crucial: people need to trust what they're buying. That's why we partnered with BSI to …
-
Environment Agency and Fire and Rescue Services strengthen partnership to tackle illegal waste burning
Examples of how the Environment Agency and Fire and Rescue Services are working together, locally and nationally to prevent and tackle illegal waste burning.
-
Research software engineers in action
Why the Research Software Engineering conference matters for government By Dimitrios Theodorakis, Scientific Software Engineer and Pierre Siddall, Foundation Scientific Software Engineer, Met Office Following Research Software Engineering Day on 9 October, and our professional societies conference in September, we reflect on the vital role research software engineers (RSEs) play in government and the power of collaboration with partners. Who are research software engineers? Research software engineers like us combine professional software engineering …
-
Growing Britain's future: investing in tree planting to restore nature and unlock growth
Today (Wednesday 5 November), the government announced the creation of the second of three new national forests in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor. Read this blog post to find out more.
-
New proposals for sustainable scallop fishing in Welsh waters
Share your views on proposed changes to Welsh zone scallop management. Help shape a sustainable future. Consultation closes 15 January 2026.
-
Our renewed inspection framework: what we’ve learned from pilots
Since September, we’ve carried out pilot inspections in 115 schools and taken time to carefully review the findings. Overall, feedback on the renewed framework has continued to be really encouraging. Many providers described the toolkit and methodology as a positive …
-
What are valid certificates under the UK digital identity and attributes trust framework?
You need to have a valid certificate if you want to prove your service conforms with the UK digital identity and attributes trust framework, and want to apply to be listed on the GOV.UK register of services.
-
What you need to know about the changes to the National Curriculum
A major review of the curriculum – what children learn at school – and the qualifications and assessment system has just been published, and the government is making changes based on what it found.
-
Sparking innovation
Bonfire Night is one of our favourite autumn traditions. But as dazzling as they are, safety is key - and Intellectual property (IP) is at the forefront of this. In this blog, we share the IP that helps make fireworks night both dazzling and safe, and our top tips to make sure you know what …
-
Increasing science and engineering capability across government
Dame Angela McLean, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, explores how the Government Science and Engineering Profession is embedding scientific expertise across government to improve policymaking and public services.
-
Geography in the United Nations - it's not just about where things are
Discover how the UK’s geospatial experts are shaping global policy at the UN, tackling challenges from climate action to governance. Melanie Hutchinson, International Geospatial Lead in GDS, shares insights from her secondment in New York, revealing the impact and importance …
-
Helping schools find better banking options: a simple approach to saving money
Managing a school's finances effectively has never been more important. With a focus on getting maximum value for money to best deliver for children, we want to make sure schools have the best possible tools and information to make informed …
-
“Must” and “could” in the trust framework and whether the rules apply to your service
If a Part or Section in the trust framework applies to your role, then all of the rules in that Part or Section apply to your service. Your service must conform with all of the “must” rules, and service providers can choose whether or not to implement any “could” rules.
-
Transforming our caseworking system to improve outcomes for our users
In line with our ‘Digital First’ agenda, we’ve modernised the Home Office caseworking process by digitising the customer journey through greater automation and better system integration.
-
UK NSC announces engagement event for organisations developing novel cervical screening tests
The UK National Screening Committee is hosting a roundtable information-sharing event on new technologies relating to cervical screening tests.
-
Biosecurity without borders: APHA’s global impact
Through global partnerships like Ghana, APHA Weybridge drives One Health progress by sharing expertise, building capacity, and strengthening biosecurity against zoonotic threats worldwide.
-
From apprentice to forester: a pioneering cohort’s journey
Gareth Biggins, former apprentice and now Forest Officer at the Forest of Marston Vale Community Forest, reflects on his experiences as part of the first ever cohort on the Forestry Commission’s Professional Forester Degree Apprenticeship.
-
How the AI Airlock is charting a path for regulating AI in healthcare through sandboxes
When I think of adventurers and explorers, space exploration comes to mind. The courage to step into the unknown, to test the limits of what’s possible, and to bring back knowledge that advances the understanding of the collective. Regulation isn’t …
-
Standing Firm in Power and Pride
I am a Black woman of Jamaican heritage, born and raised in London. My parents instilled in me the values of dignity, honesty, and compassion. They taught me to stand up for myself and for others. My father had a …
-
What is meningitis? Symptoms, risks and how to protect yourself
Meningitis is a serious condition where the protective layers (meninges) around the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. It has many causes, such as different germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In the UK, most cases are due to bacteria or viruses. Some of the bacteria that cause meningitis can also lead to septicaemia (blood …
-
How the government is tackling winter pressures
Last updated: Friday 19 December Latest data from NHS England shows that there is a significant increase of patients in hospital with flu, with high numbers of infections circulating within the community. The government’s latest position on flu can be …
-
Nightmare on MOT Street: Frightening Faults Lurking in UK Garages
While most horror stories are set in haunted houses or dark woods, some of the DVSA’s scariest tales come straight from the MOT testing bay. This year testers have shared some truly hair-raising sights that would leave the bravest of testers shuddering.
-
Dragons Den IP Blog - Series 22 Episode 14
Tonight was the final episode of this series of Dragons’ Den and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the products and seeing how the Dragons and entrepreneurs interacted with each other. As a patent examiner, there was one entrepreneur in particular that stood out to me - Rajan Bhojwani - pitching his business, SeeTheTape®.
-
Data governance and security: Not optional anymore
This article highlights key themes, challenges and opportunities around data governance and security from our recent cross-governmental discovery work.
-
Green Libraries Week 2025
Green Libraries Week, led by CILIP, is the national, annual celebration of libraries, across all sectors – from public libraries on the high street to national, health and academic libraries. The focus is on libraries leading climate and sustainability initiatives …
-
The Ouija board: the invention that named itself
The Ouija board remains one of the most recognisable items in popular culture. With its decorated wooden surface featuring letters, numbers, and the words "yes", "no", "hello", and "goodbye", it is said to connect the living with the dead.
-
Radioactivity in food and the environment (2023-24)
We’ve just published our annual report about radioactivity in food and the environment. Our radiological monitoring and assessment specialists Becca Williams and Rob Dean share the headlines from our monitoring and assessment work and talk about how artificial radioactivity gets into the environment.
-
Qualifications that work for learners – and accountability when they don't
Every year, over 11 million qualifications are awarded in England – from GCSEs and A levels to vocational qualifications in healthcare, construction, childcare and many other sectors. These qualifications are the foundation of opportunity. They recognise students’ achievements, help them …
-
King Scallop Implementation Group: spotlight on sustainability
How the FMP and KSIG are supporting a six-year plan to improve sustainability in UK king scallop fisheries.
-
Find Your Place to Grow: Fast Stream Opens Doors Across the UK
The Government has an ambition to be closer to the communities it serves, and representative of the whole of the UK. Places for Growth is delivering this work, by ensuring more high quality roles are located outside of London. The …
-
Growing stronger together: community action for nature
By David Drake, Director for People and Nature, Natural England The Nature Towns and Cities Partnership established by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the National Trust and Natural England, brings together organisations across the UK with a shared vision for …
-
PELTIC survey – monitoring the pelagic ecosystem in the Western Channel and Celtic Sea since 2012
The waters to the south-west of the UK are home to a rich diversity of small fish such as sardines, anchovy, sprat, mackerel, horse mackerel and herring (collectively known as “small pelagic fish”). These fish species feed on plankton (microscopic …
-
Exploring the potential of an AI Health Coach
A blended digital prevention team from the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and UK Health Security Agency has completed early research into the potential of an AI Health Coach
-
Coverage of 1.5 million homes target
There has been media coverage today questioning whether the government’s 1.5 million homes target is achievable and concerns about the OBR forecast on housebuilding being too optimistic. From the outset the government has been clear this is a stretching but …
-
Collaboration is the Key -public libraries as gateways to nature
In an era where connection - to nature, community, and wellbeing - is more important than ever, Culture Nature England (CNE) is helping to open up new opportunities for people to engage with the natural world. As part of Natural …
-
Data protection for small businesses: practical support from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
In this guest blog post, the Information Commissioner's Office offers advice and resources to help your business handle data protection.
-
What can Policy Profession membership do for your career?
As the second largest government profession, the Policy Profession is a strong community of policy makers, dedicated to sharing expertise and driving excellence.
-
New clearer, easier, accessible guidance for the England Woodland Creation Offer
Louise Alexander, Woodland Creation Incentives Team Manager at the Forestry Commission, highlights the significant improvements made to the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) information on GOV.UK – making it quicker, and easier, to understand and follow the EWCO guidance.
-
Supporting our people: building a stronger Defence
Wing Commander Jackie Wren, Senior People Officer, British Forces Cyprus HQ At the heart of the Cyber & Specialist Operations Command's global presence are our overseas bases, playing a fundamental role in protecting the UK and maintaining regional security is …
-
Coverage of the Renters’ Rights Act becoming law
There has been widespread national, trade and broadcast coverage on the department’s announcement on the Renters’ Rights Bill receiving Royal Assent. England’s 11 million private renters will have significant increase to their rights in a generation as the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill …