7331posts
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Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier now open for applications
Today we have opened the application window for Countryside Stewardship (CS) Higher Tier (HT) revenue agreements which will begin 1 January 2024, and we wanted to share some information about the scheme for this year. HT is open to all …
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How we’ve improved the 'Ready to Pass?' website
Find out how we've improved the 'Ready to Pass?' website to include better information to help learner drivers prepare for their driving test and a lifetime of safe driving.
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In conversation with our digital apprentices, Donna and Tom
To mark National Apprenticeship Week 2023, Donna and Tom share their experience of completing a digital degree whilst working at DVLA.
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The Annual Health and Welfare Review: rolling out yearly vet visits
At around this time last year, I wrote a post introducing the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. I’m pleased to tell you that the first step on the Pathway, the SFI Annual Health and Welfare Review, is now ready to be rolled out. In this post, I'll explain how to register for a funded annual visit from your chosen vet or team of vets.
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Tree Health Pilot: our improvements and progress
The Tree Health Pilot is a 3-year scheme which tests different ways of slowing the spread of tree pests and diseases as well as building the resilience of trees across England. Using what we’ve learned so far from testing and feedback, we’ve made a number of improvements to better support land managers to deal with tree pests and diseases. In this post, I’d like to share a short summary of pilot and the changes we’ve made to the scheme.
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Tackling Inequality is Everyone's Business - Uzy Michael, Programme Manager, NDA
This Race Equality Week I am reflecting on my own experiences and reflections on the barriers to race inequality. I have recently celebrated my one-year work anniversary at the NDA, and I am happy to be working for an organisation that …
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World Cancer Day: How the government is tackling cancer
Cancer impacts on the lives of everyone, either directly or through a family member or friend. The government is fully focused on fighting cancer on all fronts – prevention, diagnosis, treatment, research and funding – to deliver the best possible …
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UK government set to host major international finance event in support of UN Nature COP15
Today we are looking at coverage of our event to drive forward action on the COP15 Global Biodiversity Framework.
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Join Services Week 2023
Services Week, the cross-organisational event series for people working in the UK public sector, is back. Returning for the fifth time, Services Week 2023 will take place 20 to 24 March 2023. The theme for this year is Designing for …
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Celebrating the joy of nature
Below Bea Finch, a co-chair of the Civil Service Network 4 Nature shares what they’re doing to bring nature a little closer for us all. A quarter life crisis led me to help set up Network 4 Nature, a network …
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Apprenticeship Journey Q&A – Howard Falconer
The Government has made it clear that it sees the nuclear industry as vital to the country’s future security of energy supply and as an essential part of our net zero ambitions in the UK. And this is starting to …
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Apprenticeship Journey Q&A – Bethany McKee
The Government has made it clear that it sees the nuclear industry as vital to the country’s future security of energy supply and as an essential part of our net zero ambitions in the UK. And this is starting to …
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Coverage on fur and foie gras
Today our media blog addresses speculative coverage on the governments position on fur and foie gras.
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RPA members – if an incident were to happen, is your school cyber secure and are you covered?
In April 2022 the department included cyber cover as part of its Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA). We are almost a year on and Katy O’Connor, RPA Future Projects Strategy and Delivery Lead thought it was a good time to check in and see if all members are taking full advantage of this vital cover.
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Join the Food Standards Agency’s Scientific Advisory Committees
The Food Standards Agency is recruiting new members to join its independent Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs). We are also recruiting associate members; an excellent opportunity for early and mid-career researchers. Members provide independent expert assessment and advice on microbiological, chemical …
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GDF Sustainability - Futureproofing our world
Today, we have published the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) programme sustainability ‘first look’ paper setting out how sustainability is, and will continue to be, at the heart of the GDF programme. As a nationally significant infrastructure project which will span …
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Take part in our survey to help stop waste criminals faster
Waste crime can take on many different forms from the very visible dumping of waste to fraudulent producer responsibility claims, deliberate breaches of permits, metal theft and the growing issue of the waste industry being used to launder money. It’s …
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Transforming for a Digital Future - six month update
It’s six months since we launched the Transforming for a Digital Future strategy. Megan Lee Devlin, Chief Executive of CDDO discusses the impressive progress we, and government, have made against our original six missions.
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Large Research and Development Partnerships: further innovation funding available
Later this month, the second round of the Large Research and Development Partnerships fund will open. From 20 February, agri-businesses, farmers, growers and foresters in England will be able to apply for a share of £8 million to improve productivity, sustainability and resilience. In this post, I’ll give an overview of the competition and details of events for you to find out more.
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National Apprenticeship Week 2023 - FSA Podcast
To mark National Apprenticeship Week, Judith Hanvey the FSA in NI’s Boardroom Apprentice and the FSA’s Director for Northern Ireland Andy Cole discuss the journey so far.
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How our apprenticeship scheme is developing home grown talent
To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (6 to 12 February), James Evans, from the Office for National Statistics, discusses its Data Architecture and Engineering Apprenticeship scheme.
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Environmental Improvement Plan outlines ambition to create greener and cleaner country
Today we are looking at media coverage of Defra’s announcement launching the Environment Improvement Plan.
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World Cancer Day 4 February - Nikki Evans Co-chair of the Defence Cancer Support Network, shares her personal experience of cancer
Cancer will affect 1 in 2. Whether we are diagnosed with cancer, care for
someone who has been, have an inherited genetic risk, are a line manger or friend, we will all be affected by cancer. It can be a difficult to navigate, not only on a personal level but also in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. To raise awareness on World Cancer Day, Government Security Profession have been speaking with Nikki Evans, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Director of Resources at Air Command and Co-chair of the Defence Cancer Support Network about her personal experience. -
Reviewing the Accommodation Offset
In its 2022 Report, the Low Pay Commission completed a review of the Accommodation Offset. This blog sets out a digested version of our conclusions and recommendations. What is the Accommodation Offset? How does it work? The offset comes into …
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Census figures deliver more veteran insights
Almost a third of UK Armed Forces veterans in England and Wales are 80 years of age or older, according to census data just released. The new findings, published by the Office for National Statistics, look at factors such as …
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Manufacture of Investigational Medicinal Products – Frequently Asked Questions
GMP and GCP Inspectors work closely with MHRA Clinical Trials and regularly provide support to help answer a wide range of stakeholder queries which relate to the manufacture, import, labelling, licencing requirements and general handling of Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs). …
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How Morrisons are supporting farmers to plant trees
We caught up with Sophie Throup, Head of Sustainability and Agriculture at Morrisons, to find out more about their Tree Advisor initiative.
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Dragons’ Den, Episode 5, Series 20
From van alarms to fashion, bag pipes to apps – IP affects every area of business. However, the entrepreneurs had one thing in common...they were seeking that all important investment from the Dragons.
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Coverage on avian influenza in non-avian wild mammals
Today’s blog focuses on coverage around bird flu ‘spilling over’ into mammals.
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Ofsted's 2023 priorities for early years
Before looking ahead to what 2023 will hold for the early years sector, it's worth reflecting on the year that has just passed. Ofsted ended the year with the publication of our Annual Report, which provides an overview of what …
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Key dates to look out for in 2023
We are sharing the key dates to look out for in 2023 for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), Countryside Stewardship (CS), Environmental Stewardship (ES) and the Lump Sum Exit Scheme so you can now check when you can make your …
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Track our progress: Trade Remedies Authority case milestones – Feb 2023
This month’s tracker shows progress on our cases during January and the data is correct as of 2 February 2023. Subscribe here to receive automatic monthly updates of our interactive case tracker and view each stage of a case investigation …
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Loveday Ryder: DVSA's plans for 2023
Loveday Ryder, DVSA Chief Executive, gives an update on what’s coming up 2023, including continuing work to bring driving test waiting times down, the launch of a brand-new campaign website, investing in our people and new technologies, and more.
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Reflecting on DVSA’s successes in 2022
Loveday Ryder, DVSA Chief Executive, reflects on achievements in 2022, including bringing driving test waiting times down, tackling businesses exploiting learner drivers, and the launch of the‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign.
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UK NSC recommends introduction of screening for tyrosinaemia in newborns
The UK National Screening Committee is recommending the introduction of screening for tyrosinaemia as part of the newborn blood spot screening programme.
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Ofsted's 2023 priorities for social care
2022 saw the publication of several reviews looking at the children’s social care sector. The Care Review, the Competition and Markets Authority market study, and the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel all made major recommendations for reform. In our own …
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Ofsted's 2023 priorities for schools and further education and skills
2023 is already shaping up to be another busy year for schools and further education (FE) and skills providers. While none of us can quite predict what might be around the corner, our Annual Report, published at the end of …
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National Infrastructure Applications Service improves user experience with launch of examination stage
Oliver Blower (Applications Service Manager) leads the improvements to the Inspectorate’s applications service. In this post he explains the developments being made to the online service for nationally significant infrastructure projects.
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Landscape Recovery: get ready for the second round
You may have seen in our recent environmental land management update that the second round of Landscape Recovery will open in spring. To help you prepare, we’re hosting a series of webinars. In this post, I’ll share a brief overview of Landscape Recovery, our progress so far and the details of those webinars.
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National Storytelling Week: Tales from the Plain
It’s National Storytelling Week so I thought it would be a great opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself and my role and to share some stories with you about Salisbury Plain Training Area, the UK’s largest military …