7368posts
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A – Z of terms used in bankruptcy
If you can’t pay your debts, there are various solutions that can help, ranging from: informal solutions like a consolidation loan or a debt management plan to formal like a debt relief order, individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) or bankruptcy. One …
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Protecting your children through vaccination
Vaccines save lives. This blog looks at the free NHS vaccination programme and why it's so important to get vaccinated and catch up on missed vaccines.
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Earth Day 2023 Protecting our planet: The Role of the Office for Product Safety and Standards
As we approach Earth Day, it's a time for us to reflect on our impact on the planet and the steps we can take to protect it.
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Landowner sentenced to 12 months in prison for destruction on the River Lugg, Herefordshire
Today we are looking at media coverage following the sentencing of a landowner for causing destruction along the River Lugg in Herefordshire.
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When experience and policy creation meet
Social worker, Gavin Wilson, provides a positive account of his secondment to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) as Lead Analyst in the 'fair cost of care' policy team.
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Millions for fight against veteran homelessness
Up to £8million of funding is now available from the Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA) to help tackle the issue of veterans' homelessness. Charities and organisations are now able to bid for up to £1.5million to provide wraparound support, with …
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Combating modern slavery through artificial intelligence
Last month, CDDO's Chief Executive joined the judging panel for the Civil Service Data Challenge final. The challenge which brings civil servants from across government together to design and pitch innovative ideas for the use of data to solve some of the UK’s biggest challenges. Read more about the winning idea.
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The scale reveals all: How do you age a fish?
We all know that to age a tree, you count the rings, but have you ever wondered how to age a fish? Or perhaps how long different species can survive for, given the right conditions? Well it’s also a bit like ageing a tree, except you count specific rings on the fish’s scale.
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Future proofing care
Three years ago, at the start of the pandemic, we began an ambitious project to send thousands of iPads out to care homes. We wanted to make sure staff and residents could stay in contact with health professionals, friends and family. Fast forward to now, and we have a major programme underway, with a commitment from the Government to invest at least £150 million in the digital transformation of the adult social care sector in England.
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Join the Data and Technology Insight team at the CMA
The Data and Technology Insight team (DTI) provides technical advice and insight on investigations at the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). We also do proactive work to understand the implications of technologies and trends for consumers and markets. Find out …
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Nature Recovery: led by evidence. Chief Scientist Report 2022
Dr Tim Hill, Chief Scientist at Natural England, tells us about the publication of Natural England’s fifth Chief Scientist Report. Never before has good quality science, evidence and analysis on environmental change been so important for nature, society and the …
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Working during the month of Ramadan
As the month of Ramadan draws to a close we spoke to Samir about his personal experience of working during this important spiritual time for Muslims and asked him how we can better help and support our colleagues during this time.
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Following in mum's footsteps: Working as an OSG
Working as an operational support grade (OSG) is varied and rewarding. It can open opportunities to develop and progress in the Prison Service. Amber-jay, who works at HMP The Mount, tells us about her experience. Applying to work at a …
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Things we don’t talk about enough: the impact of eating disorders on men
The theme of the 2023 Eating Disorders Awareness Week was ‘men’ to underline the damaging impacts of eating disorders often endured by them. Warning: This blog discusses eating disorders so it might be triggering for some people. If you need support, …
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GSE Leadership Values: Decisive
As a scientist whose career has primarily been to lead innovative activities in academia, industry and government, where there is often a multitude of alternative directions you could take, being decisive and taking a course of action has been critical to …
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Improving mileage recording errors in the MOT Testing Service
Every year, we receive over 14,000 requests to correct MOT mileage readings through our contact centre and directly via GOV.UK. Incorrect readings can go unnoticed by vehicle owners at the time of test. But at the point of trying to …
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Covid spring booster 2023: Everything you need to know
Five million eligible people, including over 75s and those aged five and over with a weakened immune system, are now able to book their spring Covid vaccine booster. Here’s everything you need to know about the rollout. Am I eligible …
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Apply for a Water Management grant
You can now apply for a Water Management grant. In this post, I'll give a recap of the grant and the links you'll need to get started. I'll also include a video of the webinar we recently held.
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World IP Day 2023: Improving the representation of women in IP
The IPO is part of an international taskforce set up by the USPTO to improve the representation of women in IP. Nicola Smith, our Diversity and Inclusion Cultural Advisor, told us about her recent visit to join taskforce members.
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Strike action to affect travellers and goods entering the UK on 28 April 2023
The Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union has announced Civil Service industrial action that will impact Border Force operations. Travellers who are planning to enter the UK on 28 April 2023 may face longer wait times at border control. Travellers …
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Road-testing our new investment guidance
Update (1 August 2023): Our refreshed investment guidance has been published. Read Investing charity money: guidance for trustees. A key priority for the Commission is to support trustees in managing their charities well. One of the ways in which we …
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The Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness has been updated
Today, 18 April 2023, we've updated the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness. It will still give you advice on different types of inspection, the inspection intervals, data storage, and essential reviews. We have been working with the industry to make changes that will improve guidance …
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Building the art of the possible with horizon scanning
Find out more about DWP Digital's Innovation Lab and the steps taken to provide future-ready services.
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Mobile phones in exams: what malpractice stats show us
Bringing a mobile phone, watch or other communication devices into exam halls and assessment venues is classed as malpractice. Ofqual collects malpractice figures from exam boards for GCSE, AS and A level students, and from over 40 awarding organisations offering …
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A day in the life of an exams officer is never dull or boring
Nicki Hlousek, exams manager at Newcastle College, gives an insight into his role. Those of us involved in exam delivery are often employed in distinct roles with a wide variety of responsibilities. Many work alone as a sole exams officer; …
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Geography in Government Awards 2023
We are delighted to announce the shortlisted entries for the Geography in Government Awards 2023. Thank you to everyone that submitted a nomination the standard as always was very high, and it was very difficult for the judges to whittle …
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A helping hand for reptiles and amphibians on the Defence estate
The Defence estate includes some of the UK’s most important wildlife sites and is unrivalled in terms of its size and the diversity of habitats and species it supports. Much of our estate is accessible to the public, and providing …
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An interview with Sirish Parekh, Head of Estimating Performance, Benchmarking and Data
Ahead of the TIP Live conference on Wednesday 19 April, we interviewed Sirish Parekh, Head of Estimating Performance, Benchmarking and Data at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. Sirish shared his thoughts on TIP Live and the projects that help make …
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What I’ve learned about panel management in a growing research team – Part One
User research panel manager Jason Stockwell reflects on what happens when a user research project grows suddenly, and quickly, and how this needs to be managed to keep things on track.
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Charities and Partners week - 24-28 April 2023
This week celebrates the first Civil Service Charities and Partners Week to raise awareness of the help and support available from the welfare bodies we work closely with. It shows that despite offering different things, each organisation complements each other …
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Drive a step change in infrastructure: TIP Live 2023
There is less than one week to go until the Transforming Infrastructure Performance (TIP) Live conference, where leaders from both industry and government will be exploring how we can deliver a step change in the way we plan, design, construct …
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Can I appeal a primary school offer place? Everything you need to know
On Monday 17 April, parents and carers of three and four-year-olds will find out where their child will be starting school in September 2023. The vast majority will receive an offer from their preferred school. However, those who have not …
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Collecting the data that makes headlines: the Collection and Ingestion service at the ONS
We're currently recruiting a Service Owner to join the Collection & Ingestion service at the Office for National Statistics. It's an important role with great scope to make an impact. I thought I'd take the opportunity to interview Martin O'Brian to find out more about what they do and how the Service Owner fits in.
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How we carry out maintenance on the Somerset Levels and Moors
The Somerset Levels and Moors have long been shaped both by human history and natural processes. This means the landscape needs careful management to reduce the risk of flooding to properties within it and ensure the species that have come to call it home continue to thrive.
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Making government services more efficient
A great service works well for users, efficiently. CDDO has been collaborating with service teams across government to learn how services can become more efficient.
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Driving down reoffending, with a world-class digital probation service
Right now in England and Wales we have a terrible rate of reoffending. About half the people leaving prison will be back there within two years. Not only does this cost the taxpayer huge amounts of money, we’re also not …
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How to improve Civil Service job applications and ace your interviews
As recruiters around the world have been celebrating International Recruiter’s Day, Polly Whitworth shares her tips for those thinking of applying for a job in the Civil Service, including how to avoid some of the common pitfalls in the written application process and the interview.
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The Biometrics Institute's new Learning Tool
The Biometrics Institute has launched a Biometrics Essentials learning tool. This online course will teach the ethics and good practices that need to be considered when implementing a biometric system. The learning tool is designed for people working in both …
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Graphene testing, waste heat capture, and ‘grown’ materials – how Sellafield is pushing the boundaries of environmental protection
For self-confessed ‘dyed in the wool environmentalist’ James Mawby, the ability to help reduce Sellafield’s future impact on the environment was a role too good to pass up. Here he explains some of the ways that the nuclear site’s environmental team are pushing the boundaries of environmental protection.
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Text descriptions for data visualisations
Sean Snee blogs about how the Analysis Function recommends providing alternative text for data visualisations, to ensure content is accessible to everyone.