7919posts
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How Blocktype makes it easier to understand housing development potential
Blocktype’s mission is to make it easy for anyone to understand what housing you can build where. Co-founder Euan Mills explains how the start-up developed a tool allowing anyone to explore easily what housing can fit on a plot of land, with the help of the Geovation Accelerator Programme and HM Land Registry data.
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How we are putting apprenticeships on an equal footing with degrees
Apprenticeships are more important than ever in helping businesses to recruit the right people and develop the skills they need. Since 2015, we have transformed apprenticeships into a prestigious option that better meets the skills needs of employers across the …
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Exam results 2023: 10 things to know about GCSE, AS and A level grades
This year GCSEs, AS and A levels are returning to pre-pandemic standards, with protection built into the grading process to recognise the disruption that students have faced. Students are at the heart of Ofqual’s decisions. It’s important that we get …
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Vocational and technical qualifications grading in 2023
Students are at the heart of Ofqual’s work, and thousands take vocational and technical qualifications, such as BTEC Nationals or Cambridge Technicals. These qualifications are a passport for students to move on to further studies, an apprenticeship or employment. Ofqual …
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Enforcement Days of Action – what they are and why they are important
The main purpose of my role as an Enforcement Team Leader for the Environment Agency’s Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire Area is making a difference to legitimate businesses. I’ve done the role for four years and I enjoy helping to ensure the environment is protected by working to combat illegal waste activities with my knowledgeable team.
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AI, social care and the problem with horses
Jim Thomas is unconvinced AI and robotics will result in a smaller social care workforce. "Horse manure has convinced me AI and robotics will help the social care workforce get bigger, more skillful and better paid." Intrigued? Read on!
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Milky way and meteors: the night sky in July
July is a great month for stargazing, including seeing the Milky Way galaxy, a conjunction of the rocky inner planets of our Solar System and two meteor showers.
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Coverage of funding for councils to clean up chewing gum from our streets
Today we are looking at coverage of new funding for councils to clean up chewing gum from our streets
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Wendling Beck: Nature Recovery on a Landscape Scale
In the heart of Norfolk farming country, Natural England has been partnering with an ambitious project to transform a large area of agricultural land into a haven for wildlife. The scheme aims to demonstrate that growing food is fully compatible …
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Net Zero Week: It starts with us
In this blog you will hear from some of the Project Futures Team at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), as they reflect on Net Zero Week, and how Transforming Infrastructure Performance (TIP) will help us reach our net zero …
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Making co-design more inclusive by overcoming language barriers
Policy Lab recently worked on a project that explored how resettled refugees can participate in language learning that supports their integration into society. To explore this area, we combined film ethnography and co-design to learn from and create solutions with …
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How our strategy and vision will affect the future of the MOT
Neil Barlow explores what future MOT's will look like and how DVSA Strategy and Vision is helping to support testers
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Three marine sites better protected as Highly Protected Marine Areas imposed
The first three marine areas have now been given Highly Protected Marine Area status in English waters, which will aim to protect their marine ecosystems for generations to come. Species and habitats found at the sites will benefit from the highest levels of protection against human activities such as dredging and trawling. The designated sites …
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Cumbria River Restoration Strategy: from local to International success
The Cumbria River Restoration Strategy was developed to help improve the quality and function of three Cumbria catchments - the Rivers Eden, Derwent and Kent. From its humble beginnings to setting its sights on the World River Prize this year, read about why this programme has been so successful.
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The power of allies
Rachel talks through the importance of allyship and why you should take the time to consider who your allies are.
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Invest in your colleagues to deliver great care
If a social care provider has a cohort of staff who are happy, healthy and motivated, there’s probably a team, behind the scenes, building a strong workplace culture. Vida Healthcare's HR Manager, Barbara Yellow, explains more...
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Meet the new Chief Data Architect at Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO)
Jenny Brooker, Central Digital and Data Office’s new Chief Data Architect, discusses her passion for data, her career history, and her aims and ambitions in her new role. A focus on data I am fascinated by the power of data …
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Free flu vaccines for secondary school kids
All secondary school pupils in England will be offered a free flu vaccine from September for the 2023/24 season, the government has confirmed. Over 3 million pupils in secondary school years 7 to 11 will be offered the vaccine as …
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Ofsted's response to Stable Homes, Built on Love
Ofsted’s consultation response Last month Ofsted submitted its response to the government’s consultation Stable Homes, Built on Love. I am sure many of you did the same. There’s a lot in the proposals that we welcome. With additional resources and …
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Confirm your business details in the Rural Payments service
From July 2023, we will be asking businesses that have not confirmed or updated their business contact details in the Rural Payments service in the previous 365 days to confirm their business details before continuing to be able to use …
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Seeking an experienced and motivated Lead Engineer
Are you an experienced engineer looking for a new challenge? Are you ready to help us deliver the extraordinary? The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is seeking a Lead Engineer to join our team in Filton, Bristol. You’ll work alongside a …
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Exploring the rise of vector-borne diseases
Temperate regions such as the UK, are now seeing repeated introductions of invasive mosquito species, as well as mosquito-borne viruses not previously detected in the UK. Doctor Luis M. Hernández-Triana, APHA’s Discipline Champion and expert in the field of vector borne diseases describes how APHA is involved in vector borne disease research and the importance …
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What is causing the long driving test waiting times?
In this blog post, CEO Loveday Ryder explains the three main reasons behind what is causing long driving test waiting times.
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Digital Transformation - Fixing the How, Accelerating the What
Mike Hill shares his insights on how to create lasting pace and impact with regards to digital transformation within government. This was the subject of a keynote speech that Mike gave at the Innovate NSW event last month in Sydney.
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The Justice Data Lab turns 10!
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Justice Data Lab, a pioneering team enabling third sector organisations to commission impact evaluations of their work.
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Wales follows Scotland and Northern Ireland in implementing low risk diabetic eye screening pathway
Wales has followed Scotland and Northern Ireland in implementing the UK NSC's recommendation for a low risk diabetic eye screening pathway.
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Creating a place for data analytics
My name is Joe and I work within the Defence Digital Foundry’s Data Analytics Service (DAS). The Foundry provides user-facing digital services, plus enabling tools and platforms to help digital teams across Defence deliver better and faster. Its mission is …
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X-ray technology from space
UK company Adaptix is using space technology to transform radiology by fundamentally changing how X-rays are generated.
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Zero Trust Architecture in MoJ Network Services
There is a new buzzword, Zero Trust (ZT), that is cropping up at every cyber conference and there are streams of online publications referencing its approach. While the concept has existed for a decade, it has gained a lot more …
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Instructions and preferences now visible with ‘Use an LPA’ and ‘View an LPA’
[English] - [Cymraeg] We’ve listened to feedback and have updated the ‘Use an LPA’ and ‘View an LPA’ service. Donors, attorneys and their specified organisations can now view the details of instructions and preferences in a lasting power of attorney …
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New recurring payments and webhook features available through GOV.UK Pay
GOV.UK Pay now allows services to take payments automatically on a schedule they define. We've also launched webhooks to give our users live, real-time data about payments.
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MOD are tackling Defence’s challenge culture head on
Keeping Defence safe always has been and always will be a top priority for the MOD. One of the best ways of doing this is to rely on the help of MOD personnel, along with civilians and contractors who work …
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How science, partnerships and innovation are key to tackling illegal trade of sharks and rays in Indonesia
A standardised training programme for shark and ray trade inspectors, a team of 20 expert trainers increasing staff capacity nationally and a global expert in identifying shark products from DNA are just some of the highlights delivered as part of …
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Seventy-five years of health and social care
As we mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of the NHS, it is worth remembering how Clement Attlee's 1945 government embarked on implementing William Beveridge's report recommendations which set the framework for the welfare state.
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The NHS is 75 and so is the social care system
"In difficult and uncertain times, it’s important to be thankful for the constancy of institutions and organisations supporting us through good times and bad", says Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Deborah Sturdy in a special blog to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS and the creation of the social care system.
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One year in: a year in numbers
This year marks a decade since the establishment of the Project Delivery profession and function. Alongside this, it is my first anniversary as Head of Profession for Project Delivery across the government. Here‘s my reflection on this year, in numbers. …
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Farmers key to success of magical new SSSI
Blog by Tony Juniper CBE, Chair The landscape that runs west from St Ives in Cornwall down toward St Just close to Lands End was until recently one of the most special places in England to remain unprotected. The complex …
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‘Happy lenders, happy clients’: harnessing third-party support
Seven-minute applications – how Simply Conveyancing sped up their applications by two-thirds, improved quality and reduced requisitions.
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Chief Executive’s message to stakeholders - Regulated products and supporting innovation
Emily Miles, the Food Standards Agency Chief Executive, shares the latest news on our work with regulated products for the British market, and how this supports innovation and economic growth.
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The other Tour De France: Defence medics take on cycling challenge
Colleagues from Defence Medical Services (DMS) took part in an Adventurous Training (AT) epic last month when they cycled through Normandy, France. AT is an important part of the military experience; it broadens the mind, and encourages teamwork, while testing the …