7965posts
-
Insights from the inspection of initial teacher education (ITE) providers
Initial teacher education (ITE), together with the early career framework and national professional qualifications form the ‘golden thread’ of teacher training and professional development. The aim is to develop high-quality teachers and leaders, which is vital for giving pupils the …
-
UK Space Agency team lands at 2023 Royal International Air Tattoo
A team from the UK Space Agency has been inspiring young people about the wonders of space at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire.
-
People, progress and purpose in the criminal courts
Nick Goodwin, CEO of HMCTS, provides an update on the progress and performance within our criminal courts.
-
The Fens – preserving the ‘breadbasket of Britain’
The Fens and Coastal lowlands, located across parts of Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire is 5000km2 hectares of historically swamp, marsh and wetland. It is an entirely unnatural landscape and we can only live and work here because of the way …
-
Countryside Stewardship: Higher Tier agreements to start in 2024
The window for applications for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier closed in April. Mid Tier and Wildlife Offer agreements are still open for applications until 18 August 2023. A number of 3-year capital grants are also open to help achieve specific environmental benefits, including a new Higher Tier Capital grant, woodland tree heath grants and Woodland …
-
Economic outputs and key systems - where our new Technical Lead role fits in
We talk to Alastair Christie, Head of Partnership Development within our Digital Services & Technology (DST) directorate to learn about the tech lead role that will help develop a new system to underpin the statistical outputs on the UK economy.
-
Turing Scheme – record successful applications
The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s work and study programme, helping students and pupils to benefit from lifechanging overseas opportunities. It gives pupils, learners and students in UK schools, colleges, and universities the chance to learn new skills, travel …
-
What we’re working on: PN testing and cameras in garages trial
Chris Price takes a closer look at DfT's MOT Particle Number testing to improve environmental outcomes and gives more insight into DVSA's connected cameras trial to support testers in their role.
-
Serving up aces at Wimbledon
From graphite tennis rackets to fluorescent yellow balls, intellectual property is everywhere you look in the game of tennis. We explore some of the innovations behind the legendary Wimbledon championship.
-
Government accepts recommendations from NHS pay review bodies
*Updated on 26 October* The government has accepted the recommendations of the Independent Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration’s (DDRB). The decision means that doctors in training (junior doctors) have received a permanent pay increase of on average 8.8% …
-
World Youth Skills Day: developing skills at HMRC
The year's theme for 'World Youth Skills Day' is 'skilling teachers, trainers and youth for a transformative future.' It aims to highlight the importance of teachers in supporting young people and equipping them with the skills they need for the …
-
Trustee and public trust research
It has been a consistent priority for the Charity Commission to learn more about the public’s attitudes towards charities and trustees’ understanding of their role.
-
Taking action for nature recovery and a more wooded landscape
At the end of June, government announced new funding for local authorities developing Local Nature Recovery Strategies. Here we look at how we are supporting them and what they mean for trees and woodlands.
-
Space engineering degree apprenticeship – we have liftoff!
All systems are go for a new degree apprenticeship, which will launch people of all backgrounds into a fascinating career in space engineering. Apprentices on the new Level 6 Space Systems programme will access high quality training in the space …
-
Coverage of unlimited penalties for environmental polluters
Today, we are looking at coverage of new laws removing the cap on variable monetary penalties, as well as the Environment Agency’s annual report on water companies’ environmental performance.
-
Taking a holistic approach to coastal habitat restoration
Environment Agency Chief Scientist Rob Bradburne sets out his views for coastal restoration for his speech at the Restoring Meadow, Marsh and Reef (ReMeMaRe) conference in Scarborough this week
-
Why being a social mobility ambassador is important to me
As the world prepares to celebrate World Youth Skills Day, Lead Content Designer Leyla Kee-McParlin reflects on her experience of supporting the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Social Mobility Ambassadors Schools Programme, and what it’s given her, and explains what networks are doing both in Defra and across government to improve career progression in the Civil …
-
Insights from our first full inspections of lead providers of the new early career framework (ECF)
High-quality teachers are essential for giving all pupils the very best education. This is especially true for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, those with English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). High-quality training and …
-
Why should we share data?
The South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission work together to establish the benefits of sharing marine spatial data. Members of the Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI) Working Group, formed by representatives of the member states of the South West Pacific Hydrographic …
-
Teacher strikes: Everything you need to know about the 2023/24 teacher pay award
NOTE: This post was updated on 02/08/23 to acknowledge the latest developments. School teachers in England have been given a pay award of 6.5% as the Government accepted all the recommendations set out by the independent body advising on teacher …
-
The founding of the NHS: 75 years on
On 5th July 1948 the National Health Service was established in the United Kingdom. Britain was the first western country to offer free at the point of use medical care to the whole population.[1] Seventy-five years on the NHS continues …
-
How home improvements affect your Council Tax band
In this blog, we explain what happens to your Council Tax band when you make changes to your home.
-
Finding innovative solutions through the DBT Data Challenge
How teams from across DBT collaborated to win the DBT Data Challenge.
-
Helping people navigate the justice system: signposting in action
Following Miriam Davidson’s blog on our signposting strategy Charlotte Rook, at Support Through Court, shares what happens after we signpost a person to their charity for help.
-
New regulations set to promote fairness and transparency across the dairy sector
Defra announce more detail on regulations set to come into force later this year which will ensure supply contracts in the dairy sector are fair and transparent
-
An Update to our Licensing Process: Returning Incomplete Applications
In response to the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK introduced the largest and most severe package of economic sanctions that Russia has ever faced. As a result, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) continues to experience unprecedented high …
-
Six lessons for an AI assurance profession to learn from other domains - part three: features of effective certification schemes
We are looking at professionalisation and certification as part of our programme of work to support the vision laid out in our roadmap to an effective AI assurance ecosystem. As discussed in part one, it will be helpful to learn …
-
Six lessons for an AI assurance profession to learn from other domains - part two: conditions for effective certification
Lesson two: Broad community building is crucial Community building that emphasises skills, communication, and diversity is crucial for ensuring that certification is reliable and accountable. Other sectors, like cybersecurity and healthcare, as well as cross-sector communities organised around ESG and …
-
Six lessons for an AI assurance profession to learn from other domains - part one: how can certification support trustworthy AI?
The UK government's recently published approach to AI regulation sets out a proportionate and adaptable framework that manages risk and enhances trust while also allowing innovation to flourish. The framework also highlights the critical role of tools for trustworthy AI, …
-
Early Career Scientist Interdisciplinary Summer School: a week of fun, facts and FISH!
First things first, who am I? I'm James, an Offshore Fisheries Observer and team leader at Cefas. I have been doing the observer role for almost 4 years now, so I am very much an early career (fisheries) scientist. I …
-
British IP Day: 25 years of the Alliance for IP
The Alliance for IP is a UK-based coalition of organisations representing IP-rich businesses and creators. On British IP Day, and Alliance for IP’s 25th anniversary, IPO CEO Adam Williams looks at the value the organisation and its members contribute as a cornerstone of the UK’s IP environment.
-
National Security Act Factsheet
Introduction The National Security Act, which received Royal Assent on 11 July 2023, is a response to the threat of hostile activity from states targeting the UK’s democracy, economy and values. The threat is ever evolving, and we need to …
-
Introducing You To...
Hi, I’m Sue and I’m the Scheme Support Lead for RPA’s Grants Services. I joined RPA in 1989 straight from school. At that time it was the Intervention Board, becoming the Rural Payments Agency in 2001. I’ve had various roles …
-
SATs results 2023: everything you need to know
Today, schools find out how pupils have performed in the key stage 2 (KS2) national curriculum tests, often referred to as SATs. The assessments are used to measure primary school performance, allowing teachers and parents to pinpoint where extra help might …
-
Watch: How we put unproductive farmland to use
In this film, farming facilitator Danny Teasdale took us to Strickley Farm in Cumbria, to meet dairy farmer James Robinson. Danny and James show us a piece of farmland that has always been unproductive and prone to flooding. James and Danny explain how they re-meandered the stream through the flooded area to create a natural …
-
Chief Executive’s message to stakeholders - FSA publishes 3-year plan
Emily Miles, Chief Executive of the Food Standards Agency, shares our new 3-year corporate plan. This sets out how we will turn the ambitions of our strategy into concrete actions.
-
Performance testing GOV.UK Pay’s webhooks mechanism
We used performance testing to check our new webhook functionality worked at scale for our services. Find out what we learned.
-
Law apprenticeship: how you could train to become a solicitor for free
Did you know that you can qualify as a solicitor through an apprenticeship? If you complete a solicitor apprenticeship, you’ll receive the same qualifications as someone who has taken a traditional route to becoming a lawyer, but you’ll avoid student …
-
Coverage of new higher fines for litter, graffiti and fly-tipping
Today we are looking at coverage of the new higher limits for fixed penalty notices to tackle environmental crimes.
-
Important mission delivery milestone achieved thanks to partnership working on defueling - Barry Hart, Head of UK Contracts, NDA
The NDA’s mission is soon expanding to include the decommissioning of the 7 advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGRs) power stations that are currently operated by EDF Energy. Through collaboration with EDF and our operating companies, Sellafield Ltd, Magnox Ltd and Nuclear Transport Solutions we are delivering a programme …