GOV.UK blogs

Achieving change in adult social care

January is always a good time to sort your ‘stuff’ out and before starting my new role, I took the opportunity to clear out my cupboard. It was interesting to see what I had kept over the years from the …

Coverage of pesticide emergency authorisation being denied to protect pollinators

Today we’re looking at coverage of the government’s announcement of the decision not to grant emergency authorisation for Cruiser SB, a neonicotinoid pesticide,

Public Accounts Committee report on homelessness

Today the Public Accounts Committee published a report on homelessness, with several recommendations to the government to build a cross-government strategy to tackle homelessness and invest in preventive measures. This was featured in PA media, Sky News, The Independent and …

Digital Planning Directory launches: a milestone moment for the UK’s planning sector  

Digital transformation has taken a major step forward with the launch of the Digital Planning Directory - a comprehensive platform bringing together state-of-the-art planning tools and services in one accessible location. The Directory, developed to address the pressing need for digital skills and resources in local planning authorities, will help both public and private sector professionals make informed decisions about digital planning solutions.

Commissioner Robin Simcox visits Southport

In July 2024, our nation was shattered by the murder of three children in Southport. The perpetrator, Axel Rudakubana, had attempted to kill even more. This week, Rudakubana pleaded guilty to all charges facing him.   The impact that terrible day …

Sign up for UK NSC online seminar on multi-cancer detection tests

The UK NSC is holding an online seminar on 27 February, focusing on multi-cancer tests. Sign up now.

Dragons' Den IP Blog - Series 22 Episode 3

A reseller with an inspirational refugee story and a bathroom with backbone – these were the pitches that caught our IP eye in this week’s Dragons’ Den episode. Read on to find out more!

Focus On: jHub

Established in 2017, jHub is Strategic Command’s central innovation hub, dedicated to accelerating the adoption of new technology within Defence. By providing frontline users with cutting-edge technology and processes, jHub delivers battle-winning capabilities in the shortest possible time. jHub achieves …

Partnership sees experimental 'Disco Scallop' method develop into full-scale, commercial low-impact fishery

By Mark Duffy, Marine Principal Adviser, Natural England Over the past three years Natural England has supported and invested in the “Potting for Scallops” initiative to help sustainable fishing of the mollusc and protect seabeds. The technique in the initiative …

Do schools close because of bad weather? Everything parents need to know

Schools will make every effort to stay open in adverse weather conditions, however, the safety of pupils and teachers is a top priority. Here's everything you need to know.

Your feedback on the gamma (0.4) trust framework

In November, we pre-released the gamma (0.4) publication of the trust framework. We also highlighted that we would be seeking feedback on this latest publication to inform our ongoing work. This post kicks off that engagement cycle, explaining how we …

How we delivered more than 1,500 digital export journeys

Liam Bancroft, a Product Owner in the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) Borders and Trade team, shares his insights into the work he has been leading to develop a digital service for those seeking to export animals and animal …

How the TRA uses data

The TRA is an evidence- and data-led independent authority. The quality of data collected during a case will have a real impact on its outcome, as this information is the basis for the decisions made by the Secretary of State …

Strengthening Marine Science and Sustainability: The Ocean Country Partnership Programme in Maldives

In October, the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) team from Cefas visited the Maldives to enhance local expertise in the collection of data from fishers, water quality monitoring and OSPAR methods of beach monitoring. The visit began with adverse weather …

Continuing to drive responsible adoption of technology

Since its establishment as the Centre for Data Ethics & Innovation in 2018, the Responsible Technology Adoption (RTA) Unit has provided a hub driving government’s work on responsible use of technology across both the public sector, and the broader economy, …

Introducing DfE Connect: bringing key information for schools into one place

In our latest blog post, Charlotte Dowd, Policy advisor and sector engagement lead, introduces us to DfE Connect. What is DfE Connect?DfE Connect is a free service from the Department for Education designed to make life easier for school business …

Navigating Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier funding for effective woodland management

Becky Hawkey, the Forestry Commission’s Environmental Land Management Team Manager, outlines the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier offer and how different funding actions within the grant stack together to help bring woodland into effective management.

Reflecting on a landmark year for Companies House 

Louise Smyth CBE looks back on a transformative year for Companies House, and sets out what's ahead for 2025.

Everything we are doing in education to tackle climate change

 Our Climate and Sustainability Strategy is preparing schools for the climate issues we face, encouraging positive environmental behaviours and creating a better environment for children’s futures.   We want every setting, from early years to higher education, to join us in …

Funding Service: how a glossary helps us speak the same language

Read about the work content designers in the Funding Service are doing to improve their grants glossary in order to ensure consistency and meet diverse user needs. Find out more about how they’re adding and refining definitions, collaborating across teams, testing updates to improve user experience and how you can get involved.

A better digital identity and attribute services register is coming soon 

We think digital identity services are a great way to prove who you are. We know that government is in a unique position to help people find services they can trust.  My role – as the product manager for the …

Watch: Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier webinar

Earlier this month, we hosted a webinar for farmers and land managers in England to learn more about Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) and the pre-application process. In this post, you’ll find a recording of the webinar and a summary of the information in the session, reflecting the questions put to the team. 

We Are Strategic Command: Sharon Brookes

Interviewer: Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your background? Sharon: My name’s Sharon Brookes, and I’m the Senior Civil Servant (SCS) 1* Director of the Defence College for Military Capability Integration (DCMCI), part of Defence Academy. I’m …

Ocean Country Partnership Programme in Maldives - Pollution update and the Fifth Maldives Marine Science Symposium

In July the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) team from Cefas visited Maldives to attend the Fifth Maldives Marine Science Symposium and to progress work with various OCPP partners. Aerial view of Maldives islands The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) …

Newly recognised Official Statistic tracks the environmental impact of our consumption

Nearly all the food we eat, clothes we wear, and cosmetics we use contain commodities grown in fields and forests around the world.

The environmental impact of our consumption habits is becoming more widely understood. To understand this, in this post, JNNC Evidence Specialist Ethan Workman discusses the Global Environmental Impacts of Consumption (GEIC) Indicator which is gathering key insights on this.

Into the woods: the value of amenity woodlands

Join us for this month’s ‘Into the woods’ blog by Helen Townsend, the Forestry Commission’s Head of People, Landscape and Historic Environment. To mark Take a Walk Outdoors Day, she shares the value from having access to nature.

Why we’re supporting the Government Digital Sustainability Alliance

Gerry Hackett and Ewen Anderson tell us why they have each volunteered to chair one of our Government Digital Sustainability Alliance (GDSA) working groups, sharing their personal career journeys to this point, and their ideas for where they see some …

Defra's Bass Management Group: a new era for England's bass fishery

Defra’s collaborative Bass Management Group has met for the first time to discuss and progress the future management of the bass fishery in England.

The Ouse Washes – a vital flood defence system in East Anglia

My name is Rupert Wilson and I am the Field Team Leader in the Ouse Washes Field Team in East Anglia. Our team plays a crucial role in the Management of the Ouse Washes Flood Storage Reservoir. The Ouse Washes …

Media factsheet: EU Settlement Scheme

This factsheet was updated on 17 January 2025 The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) enables EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens resident in the UK by the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, and their family members, to …

Low Pay Commission regional visits 2025

Make your views heard on the future of the minimum wage The Low Pay Commission (LPC) is the independent body which advises the Government on the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW). Commissioners are drawn from …

Behind Government Digital and Data: meet the people driving a modern digital government

In this blog we shine a spotlight on some of the remarkable individuals who are harnessing technology and data to make government work better for everyone.

New screening masterclass dates announced

The UK NSC has announced 2 new dates for its popular screening masterclass, one in May and one in July.

Inaccurate reporting of grant funding based on council tax levels

There has been inaccurate reporting in The Telegraph, The Telegraph and I news that the government plans to redistribute grant funding to benefit areas with higher council tax levels. This is not true.  These proposals will not see grant funding …

From hive to honey: UK expertise supporting beekeepers in Ghana 

In August 2024, our National Bee Unit invited participants from Ghana for a week-long intensive training on honeybee health, husbandry and honey production in the UK.

The UK-Ukraine school partnerships programme: How can I get involved?

Schools across the UK and Ukraine are coming together in an exciting new partnership focused on sharing stories and promoting reading for pleasure. The programme, part of the 100-Year Partnership between the two countries, aims to create connections between school …

Coverage following the import ban of cattle, pigs and sheep from Germany following Foot and Mouth case

There has been widespread media coverage following the announcement that we have introduced an import ban of cattle, pigs and sheep from Germany to protect farmers after a Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) case was detected in Germany. The commercial …

UK NSC meeting welcomes findings of review into effectiveness of AAA screening in the UK

Minutes published of UK NSC meeting held on 21 November 2024.

Our tenth NDA group supply chain event

On 16 January 2025, the NDA will be hosting its tenth supply chain event, which is recognised as the largest supply chain event in Europe. This event is being hosted in Telford. To mark its decennial, Emma Ferguson-Gould, NDA Group …

I don’t worry about AI taking my job – just my cat

Michaela, Data Scientist, talks about how she has navigated a new career in government, using AI and programming to solve complex problems, and found her passion in data science. She also explores the vibrant culture and impactful work of the MHCLG Data Unit.