7838posts
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The power of DNA: using innovation for nature’s recovery
By Andrew Nisbet, Natural England's Deputy Director for Monitoring Natural England is at the forefront of introducing innovative technologies into biodiversity monitoring. Environmental DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the DNA that can be obtained from an environmental sample such as water, …
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From the inside out: how DDaT is powering UKEF’s 2025 vision
A message from Dan Bowden, Director of Digital, Data and Technology As we continue to deliver on our mission to support UK exporters and drive sustainable growth, the role of digital, data and technology has never been more critical. Behind …
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Celebrating a wave of innovation: Scalable experiments from the One Big Thing initiative
The One Big Thing initiative, with its focus on innovation and efficiency, has catalysed a wave of transformative experiments across UK government.
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Farming Equipment and Technology Fund now open
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2025 (FETF) is now open for applications.
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Levelling up: the IP journey of Nintendo
After yet another Nintendo-fuelled conversation on the school run this morning, it got me thinking about the intellectual property (IP) owned by this multi-national gaming company.
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How should Government choose between different life-saving policy options?
Stephen Gibson and Caroline Elliott of the RPC set out some of the issues that governments face in making policy decisions when peoples' lives are involved.
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SME builders backed to get Britain building
Today we announced new measures to streamline complex planning rules, ease onerous regulatory burdens, and provide financial firepower to smaller housebuilders. These new reforms across land, regulation and finance will support them to play a vital role in delivering 1.5 …
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Find out more about Marine Licensing
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) Marine Licensing team answer some of the frequently asked questions they receive about the marine licensing process. What is a marine licence? A marine licence is a consent granted under the Marine and Coastal Access …
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Higher Level Stewardship: increased payment rates now available
To bring HLS payment rates closer to those offered under CSHT and SFI, we’re investing £30 million to increase payments for most HLS options. The rates are now on GOV.UK.
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Putting innovation at the heart of unlocking small sites
The Deputy Prime Minister has unveiled a package of measures to empower SME housebuilders to build out smaller sites faster. The Digital Planning programme’s £1.2 million PropTech Innovation Challenge is one of the initiatives included – designed to accelerate housing delivery across England by inviting tech innovators to partner with local authorities and developers to …
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UK NSC is reviewing the latest evidence for additional screening based on breast density
The UK NSC this summer plans to share its review of the latest evidence on whether women with dense breasts should be offered additional breast screening imaging tests.
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NHS Pay: everything you need to know about the 2025 pay award
The Health and Social Care Secretary has accepted the recommendations of the independent pay review bodies to confirm pay awards for 2025-26 for doctors, nurses, dentists, and other NHS staff. This confirms what these groups will be paid for …
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Is it possible to build responsible AI tools in human resources?
This blog builds on the recent Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) publication for Succession Select - an innovative AI recruitment tool developed by the Government Digital Service for HR professionals to select Senior Civil Servants. This blog delves into the need for the tool with an emphasis on trust and ethical development.
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We're better together - the Bollin to Mersey Nature Recovery Partnership
What is the Bollin to Mersey Nature Recovery Partnership? It seems at first glance that the contrast between the Southern part of Greater Manchester and the Northern part of its neighbouring county Cheshire, is massive. Urban versus rural, grey rather …
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Working on matrix working: looking back after 4 years
Learn how matrix working has helped DBT's Digital, Data and Technology directorate form supportive communities of profession and become more flexible to change.
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The Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024: One year on
The regulations to strengthen the protection of hedgerows came into force on 23 May 2024. The rules now protect all hedgerows on or next to agricultural land in England. In this blog we reflect on how we’ve supported people to …
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What is measles and why is it so important we're all up to date with our MMR vaccine?
As families prepare for travel over the summer break, there is more chance for measles to be brought in from countries where there are outbreaks. Catching up children who missed out on their MMR vaccines is a priority, in order to help prevent another rise in measles cases.
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Teacher pay: everything you need to know about the 2025 pay award
The School School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) is an independent group that makes recommendations on the pay of teachers and leaders in maintained schools in England and reports to the Secretary of State for Education and the Prime Minister. Each …
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An apology to FP McCann Limited and its directors
On 26 March 2024, the Home Office issued a press release which contained false and defamatory allegations concerning FP McCann Limited. The press release stated that FP McCann Limited had been fined up to £225,000 in civil penalties for illegally …
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Fair process as public policy
Public law expert, Joe Tomlinson, sets out the case for why it's important that public services feel fair.
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Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve & Kew Millennium Seed Bank: Sowing Seeds for Nature’s Recovery
By Mick Venters, Senior Reserve Manager at Aston Rowant NNR, Natural England. Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve (NNR) is a hidden gem in the Chiltern Hills, and I am fortunate to have spent over twenty years as the Reserve Manager …
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Eye-P Protection
The sun coming out means it’s time to don one of my favourite accessories. As I reorganise my cherished collection of shades, I can't help but marvel at how one pair is never enough. But have you ever wondered about the clever innovations that allow us to transform from squinting pedestrians to effortlessly cool individuals …
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Applying to register with Ofsted: what you need to know
Whether you’re thinking about registering with Ofsted or are in the process of submitting your application, this blog post aims to help you understand the registration process and the actions you need to take. Before you begin your application, you …
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Cuttlefish Action Plan - supporting the Channel demersal NQS fishery
MMO has launched the Cuttlefish Action Plan as part of the Channel demersal non-quota species FMP. Read about the steps we’re taking to support the fishery and develop the evidence base.
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How we value: nurseries
In this instalment of our How We Value series, we explain how we value day nurseries and pre-schools across England and Wales.
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A channel and domain strategy for adult social care content
The digital transformation team have started work to create a channel and domain strategy for adult social care content
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Research and Development for Integrated Pest Management and how it can help you
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a whole-farm approach that uses all available methods to prevent, monitor, and control pests, weeds and diseases. Adopting IPM practices can help you reduce the risks associated with pesticides, combat pesticide resistance, and support sustainable …
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National Numeracy Day 2025: top tips for helping children feel more confident with maths
This Wednesday 21 May marks National Numeracy Day and we're sharing practical advice to boost number confidence. Maths and numeracy are essential life and work skills, and the government are committed to ensuring they remain a core part of every young person's learning
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International Bilateral Fund to further boost global space partnerships
The UK Space Agency is making £5.5 million of funding available for new proposals under the International Bilateral Fund - a programme supporting ambitious partnerships between UK organisations and international space entities.
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Applying for Probate: Top Tips, Tools and What to Expect
In this episode, our colleagues share expert advice on how to make the probate process easier and less stressful. If you're preparing to apply or just want to understand how it works, this episode is here to help.
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How we’re providing real-time accessibility statements and issue management
In late 2023, the Department for Education (DfE) DesignOps team noticed a recurring problem across the services DfE provided to users. Many of our digital services did not have accessibility statements, or had out-of-date, or incorrect statements. This issue made …
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Wildlife licensing: enabling development while protecting Nature - annual summary 2024
By Gemma Ole's, Deputy Director, Natural England Wildlife Licensing Service At Natural England we help balance economic growth with nature protection. Wildlife licensing is a vital tool to enable this. Our licences are broad ranging and allow development and other …
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Supporting students in crisis: how we’re supporting students with their mental health and suicide prevention
We have just published the largest-ever national review into student suicides in higher education, examining over 160 cases of suspected suicide or self-harm during the 2023/24 academic year. The review was conducted by the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health (NCISH) and aimed to understand how universities currently respond to students …
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How we protect the UK from vector-borne diseases like dengue and West Nile virus
As West Nile virus is detected in mosquitoes collected in the UK for the first time, we take a look at how UKHSA is protecting the UK from vector-borne diseases
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Environment Agency tracks down waste criminals trading online
Waste Crime Engagement Specialist, Alan Dengate shares how the Environment Agency is working to prevent waste criminals trading online. Once upon a time waste crimes were committed by those working in the sector cutting a few regulatory corners, looking to …
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Growing together - how community-led green infrastructure delivers health and climate benefits
In Britain's increasingly urban landscape, where 85% of the population lives in towns and cities, green infrastructure has become essential for collective wellbeing. Yet one-third of people cannot access quality natural spaces within 15 minutes of home - a deficit …
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Coverage on new towns costs
Reports today suggest a dozen new towns in England will cost as much as £48 billion according to a WPI Strategy report, with the average cost of each development likely to be in the range of £3.5 to £4 billion. …
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Growing more than food: The benefits of nature-friendly farming
By Martin Lines, CEO, Nature Friendly Farming Network, andPeter Craven, Head of Agriculture, Natural England This week is Nature Friendly Farming Week, and with a theme of 'More than growing food' it aims to highlight the wider benefits of nature-friendly …
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The Rural Payments Agency Podcast: Episode 12
Welcome to the twelfth episode of The RPA Podcast. In our latest episode, we speak with RPA Field Officer Peter Clampett about the Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024. The regulations set out the rules for protecting hedgerows on, or …
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JoeySat: two years of UK-led satellite innovation
JoeySat, developed through a pioneering collaboration between the UK Space Agency, the European Space Agency, and OneWeb (now Eutelsat Group) has redefined what’s possible in satellite communications.