GOV.UK blogs

Using Herbicides to protect our flood defences from invasive plants

The Environment Agency is responsible for carrying out maintenance work on its assets to ensure they will perform as they should during a flood.

Field team operatives and contractors use various tools and methods to carry out seasonal vegetation management on sections of watercourse that are within a flood alleviation scheme. This work is carried out to aid the conveyance of floodwater during periods of high flows. This allows the floodwater to pass through the scheme as freely as possible reducing the likelihood of a blockage and reducing the flood risk.

Supporting delegated healthcare in the care workforce

Person-centred, safe and effective delegation of healthcare activities to care workers can enable people to have more choice and control of when and how things happen, with an opportunity to provide a better experience of care.

Hydrographic survey uncovers fascinating insight into the geological past of the UK

Part of a series of data sets collected in the Irish Sea, off North Wales, under the Civil Hydrography Programme (CHP) has given us a fantastic insight into the geological past of the UK. The CHP is a long-running data …

What is Clearing and when does it open in 2023?

Clearing is a term you might have heard in the context of university applications, but do you know what it means? Some people might think that you can only apply through Clearing if you haven’t met the grade requirements of …

Organising work experience at DfE Digital, Data and Technology

In this post, senior content designer Laura Croft explains how she went about organising work experience for 4 A-level students.

From Paratrooper to Padre - two very different leaps of faith, one calling

Following a call to ordination in the Church of England, life took an unusual twist when civil servant Julian Hendy-Ibbs signed up to become a part-time paratrooper I’m Lance Corporal Julian Hendy-Ibbs, I serve with Signals Platoon, HQ Company, 4PARA …

Guest post: Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery

In the first round of Landscape Recovery, £12 million of development funding was awarded to 22 projects in England. This money supports plans to restore rivers, boost biodiversity and much more. The projects represent hundreds of farmers and landowners working together to deliver significant environmental change. One such project is the Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery Project, for which I am project lead. In this post, I will shine a light on our work.

Living and working with high function Asperger's syndrome

Dean was diagnosed with high function Asperger's syndrome 2016, when he was in his early 40s. We spoke to him about how this affects his daily life, the misconceptions about Aspergers and  how managers and colleagues can be more supportive. 

GOV.UK One Login: June 2023 update

An update on the GOV.UK One Login programme and the closure of GOV.UK Verify.

From fitting cars to steering prison wings - Jack’s journey

We spoke to Jack, who recently joined the Prison Service as an operational support grade (OSG). After taking advice from his family, who also work in the Prison Service, Jack felt like it was the right time to take his …

Police powers: Stop and search

Stop and search powers are a vital tool for the police to prevent violence and other crime. Every knife taken off our streets is a potential life saved - 100,000 knives and offensive weapons have been taken off our streets …

Environment Agency response to recent incident at Fleetwood Wastewater Treatment Works

Today’s blog outlines how the Environment Agency is working as part of the multi-agency response to the recent burst pipe at Fleetwood Wastewater Treatment Works.

Introducing DataConnect23

Mark your calendars for 25-29 September 2023 for the third DataConnect event series, held in collaboration between CDDO and the DQHub at ONS. Find out more about the event and how you can showcase your data work.

International Women in Engineering Day 2023: How you can join the next generation of engineers

International Women in Engineering Day celebrates the contributions of women in the field of engineering and science, and the impact their work has on shaping the world. With so many women breaking down barriers, it’s time to inspire the next …

Start your digital career with DVLA’s development programmes

If you're looking to start a career in digital, DVLA have several development programmes that provide a structured path into the profession. We caught up with 2 of our recent students to learn how the MSc Development Programme helped them move into a digital career.

Register of Overseas Entities: where we are now

Since the Register of Overseas Entities was launched last year, we’ve been working hard to make improvements to the service. Here, we take a look at where we are now and give an update on the next phase of service development.

King Charles III recognises HMRC employees in Birthday Honours

As King Charles III released his first Birthday Honours list last week, we were extremely proud to hear the news that several of our colleagues here at HMRC were recognised for their contributions to public service. We caught up with …

Environment Agency investigation into sewage treatment works moves to next phase

The EA is conducting its largest ever criminal investigation into potential widespread breaches of environmental permit conditions at wastewater treatment works.

How we are delivering innovation in health and social care services

Innovation is crucial for enabling the NHS to increase the speed of diagnosis and deliver better outcomes for patients. We know patients benefit enormously from new technologies, with breakthroughs enabling prevention of ill-health, earlier diagnosis, more effective treatments, and faster …

Expanded offer of the Sustainable Farming Incentive to roll out from August

Blog looking at the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2023 which will start accepting applications from August, offering an improved, more streamlined process for farmers.

Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day 2023

Today, 23rd June 2023, marks the 10th International Women in Engineering Day, brought to you by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES). As a woman working in Engineering, there are times I’ve noticed that I’m one of few women in the …

From STEM curiosity to career: a story of success

In this blog to mark International Women in Engineering Day on 23 June, we hear from Jenn Harris as she talks about her journey to a career in construction and engineering and why the Science Capability in Animal Health (SCAH) programme has given her the perfect opportunity to combine her love of science and engineering.

Unlocking the power of low code in Defra

Emma Shaw, Lead Product Manager for Power Platform in Defra, reflects on her team’s journey to unlock the power of low code and enable the business to build their own apps and automations, driving efficiencies and expediting digital transformation across the group.

How we continue to support local authorities through challenging times

FSA Director of Strategy and Regulatory Compliance Katie Pettifer explains how the FSA is continuing to support local authorities through challenging times.

Securing England’s water resources: right now, and for the future

Our views on England’s draft regional and water resource management plans, successes and areas for improvement, and what will happens next in that process.

Coverage of the Kept Animals Bill opposition debate

There has been widespread coverage in the I News, Daily Express, BBC News, Sky News, the Guardian and in the Sun reporting on yesterday’s opposition debate which  the Kept Animals Bill.

Experiments in Service Assessments

If you haven’t heard of the Government Service Standard, well you have now. Those of us in the business of building digital products and services in the public sector use this framework to make sure we create the right thing, …

Learning Disability Week: dispelling misconceptions

It's Learning Disability Week (19-25 June). This year, the aim is to show the world the incredible things people with learning disabilities can achieve, smashing misconceptions and shining a light on the stigma and misunderstanding many still face everyday.

How the work of the Regulatory Policy Committee supports the Nolan Principles

Stephen Gibson, RPC Chair, explains how the work of the RPC supports ministers and civil servants in complying with the Nolan Principles

New guidance on submitting screening research requests to the UK NSC

We have published new guidance for researchers who wish to submit research requests to the UK NSC's research and methodology group.

Showing pride in business: top tips for Pride Month

June is Pride month - a month dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ communities all around the world. And to mark it, Kristofer McGhee, LGBTQ+ advocate and General Counsel for IfATE, provided these tips for businesses. Kristofer McGhee is the General Counsel …

Working with landowners to prevent waste crime

I’m an Enforcement Officer for the Environment Agency covering Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. I joined the Environment Agency because I have a real passion for protecting the environment, people, and legitimate businesses. In my job I frequently meet landowners …

National Windrush Day: How we teach children about Black history

National Windrush Day 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the passengers of the Empire Windrush to the UK. The day celebrates the vital contribution and achievements of the Windrush generation and their descendants. The freedom and flexibility of …

A week in the life of a project delivery advisor

Lydia Randall tells us about a typical week as an IPA Project Delivery Advisor for major defence programmes, and why she chose to work in government project delivery.  What is a project delivery advisor? I joined the IPA in April …

Designing our delivery standards 1.0

Shared understanding leads to better outcomes. Head of agile delivery, Barry Traish, outlines our new delivery standards and suggests ways you can apply them to your own projects.

Windrush Schemes Factsheet – May 2023

We are determined to put right the terrible injustices faced by some people from the Windrush generation and the wider Commonwealth, which happened under successive governments. The Windrush Scheme ensures members of the Windrush generation can get the documentation they need to …

HPValidate cervical screening self-sampling study nears completion 

Update on study to help find out if self-sampling could be offered as an alternative future option alongside the clinician-taken cervical screening test

MANIFEST: What we have learnt so far from artists working in policy

Policy Lab has a history of bringing experimental and innovative approaches into policymaking. In January, we wrote about the launch of MANIFEST, our new experimental initiative to evaluate the role of art in policy. As part of MANIFEST, the Arts …

Ascension Island and Lowestoft school twinning project: Connecting the next generation of ocean advocates

Despite being separated by more than 7,000 kilometres and located in opposite hemispheres, with the diverse climates and marine environments of the South Atlantic and North Sea, a ground-breaking primary school twinning project, supported by Cefas and Ascension Island, has …

More time to suggest productivity and slurry items

We recently asked you to help us shape the list of items under the Productivity and Slurry theme of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF). The survey was due to close on 3 July. However, in response to requests to keep the survey open for a little longer, we’ve extended the deadline to midday, Wednesday 12 July.