GOV.UK blogs

All about bats

As the spooky season of October is upon us, we have collaborated with Madan Gautam from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to bring you the fascinating world of bats. Read this blog to discover all about bats, learn about their unique …

What does the Budget 2024 mean for education?

On Wednesday 30 October, the Chancellor announced the government's Budget for 2025-26. Here's what it means for education.

Avoid paying more than you need to for HM Land Registry information

When searching for HM Land Registry services, make sure you click on GOV.UK.

Day in the life of a new Environment Officer

The Environment Agency (EA) is improving the way the water industry is regulated. This includes expanding the number of our officers focused solely on regulation and compliance. Here, one of the EA’s new dedicated Environment Officers, Rebecca Lee, explains why …

NITEMARES: Uncovering the Invisible Secrets of Mars

UK Space Agency funding supports the Open University to develop leading technology that maps the surface of Mars with invisible IR light.

Meet the Modern Civil Service: Ed McCutcheon, Government Chief Architect, Central Digital and Data Office

Ed McCutcheon, Government Chief Architect at Central Digital and Data Office, tells us how his department is leading digital transformation in government.

Join us at an event to have your say in our current consultations

Come to our consultation events to have your say on draft fisheries management plans.

6 top tips to excel in the trainee probation officer programme 

We spoke to Katie Lowe, trainee probation officer, about her advice to current and prospective students on how to be successful on the trainee probation officer programme. Katie is on the 21-month programme, studying at the University of Portsmouth and …

Wage rises ensure 'a proper day's work’ gets ‘a proper day's pay'

Over 3.5 million workers will receive a pay boost next year thanks to new increases to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates. This move confirmed by the Chancellor in the Budget has attracted widespread press coverage, being …

NUAR legislation: What does the Data Use and Access Bill mean for you? 

Dr David Hodkin, NUAR Policy Lead, explains the Data Use and Access Bill's role in establishing the National Underground Asset Register to enhance underground work safety and efficiency.  On 23 October 2024 measures were tabled in Parliament as part of …

Top tips on how to keep your child healthy at school

For many, the start of the school term will mean mixing with different groups of people, which is why the autumn term is also known for its colds and bugs. While it’s usually safe for parents and carers to send …

Unlocking the power of data analysis at the Home Office: introducing the Analytics Workbench 

We’re streamlining data to provide high quality, informed decision-making across the Home Office with our new platform, the Analytics Workbench.

Budget 2024: maintaining momentum

As outlined in the Chancellor’s announcement, we have secured a budget of £2.4 billion for the next financial year. This means we can maintain the momentum of our environmental land management (ELM) schemes, which will rise to the highest funding levels ever by 2025/26. 

How the EA uses its enforcement powers to hold water companies to account

Since 2015, we have successfully concluded 63 prosecutions against water and sewerage companies for pollution offences securing fines of over £151 million. The most recent of these include a £2 million fine for Severn Trent Water after allowing huge amounts …

A journey to modernisation: Digitising dogs records

In the rapidly evolving world of digital transformation, the MoJ has embraced a modern strategy, one that centres around flexibility, data-driven decisions, and user-led services. This approach is aimed at delivering justice that’s faster, simpler, and better for all. Recently, …

What might a Policy Standard in government look like? 

Government is becoming more familiar with doing user-centred policy design, whether in creating programmes, support interventions, funding or even legislation. This post discusses the potential for a Policy Standard in government, built on the broader application of service design principles beyond digital services.

Insights from commercial fishing pilot event in Cornwall

A recent pilot event in Cornwall brought commercial fishers, industry leaders, and policymakers together for key discussions. Find out what happened!

DVLA’s Digital Voices group celebrates Ada Lovelace Day

Lucy Whitaker, Digital Attraction and Engagement Manager, looks back on DVLA’s event to celebrate Ada Lovelace Day and women in digital.

England’s vision and criteria for 30by30 on land launched at COP16  

This week the UN Biodiversity Summit (CBD COP16) is taking place in Colombia. In this post, Danielle shares what the UK has announced at the conference to support ambition for nature recovery.

The National Education Nature Park: how to get involved

The National Education Nature Park was launched last year by the Department for Education, the Natural History Museum, the Royal Horticultural Society and partners. This offers children and young people the opportunity to take hands-on action to improve biodiversity and …

The regulatory approach and use of civil sanctions for the Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024: public consultation 

Have your say on how we implement the new hedgerows regulations.  In May 2024, the Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024 came into force. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has been appointed to act as the Regulator.  We are launching …

Accessibility and inclusive design manual blog

How the Department of Education (DfE) are supporting teams through user-focused accessibility and inclusive design guidance and training to ensure that everyone has access to the services they need.

A role for the creative sector in protecting environmental sites

Policy Lab has a 10-year history of convening diverse voices to contribute to policymaking, including those of creative practitioners. Our ongoing collaboration with the Arts and Humanities Research Council, MANIFEST, evaluates the role that artistic strategies could play in policymaking, …

Knives Down: Inside the community fight against knife crime (Part 1)

In the first of this two-part episode, we take a look back at our recent anti-knife crime event at Westminster Magistrates' Court. We're joined by legal adviser Ian Rawlins who tells us about the inspiration behind the event and the importance of educating young people on the dangers of knife crime.

Black History Month Spotlight - Into the light: Pioneers of Black British Ballet exhibition

The untold stories of Britain’s Black ballet dancers will be put centre stage for the first time in a new touring exhibition in libraries. Funded by a £245,500 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Into the Light: Pioneers of …

15 years of Independent RPC Scrutiny of Government Regulation 2009-2024

The RPC has now been operating for 15 years. To commemorate this, we have updated the history document originally published to commemorate our 10th anniversary.

Managing your product manager- a support team's guide

How customer support teams can help product teams to experience the challenges that their users face

DataConnect 2024: The power of data community connection

DataConnect, Government's largest virtual data conference, has successfully drawn to a close, after bringing together thousands of cross-government, local government, academic and data professionals.

What the Data Bill means for digital identity

The Government has now introduced the Data (Use and Access) Bill in Parliament. Part 2 of the Bill underpins the Government’s plans to ensure that digital identity products and services offered in the UK can be trusted by those that …

Michael's Journey: From OSG to Account Manager in the Prison Service (Part one)

Michael has been with the Prison Service for 21 years, beginning as an operational support grade (OSG) at HMP Rochester. He progressed through various roles, including prison officer, supervising officer, and custodial manager, before moving to HMPPS headquarters as an account manager for the Prison Performance Support Programme. Michael now helps drive improvements across some of the most challenging prison sites.

Being there: How we conduct verification visits 

The Trade Remedies Authority was established as a non-department public body of the Department for Business and Trade in 2021 and therefore well-placed to quickly design processes and procedures that were “pandemic proof”. These included the use of remote verification. …

Coverage following Government crackdown on single-use vapes

Today we are looking at coverage of our announcement that a ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in England is to come into force on 1 June 2025.

Deputy Prime Minister promises relationship ‘reset’ with councils

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has today (24 October) vowed to forge a new relationship based on honesty and respect between central and local government, helping drive economic growth and improve lives. Speaking at the Local Government Association (LGA)’s annual …

Reclaiming Narratives: Black History Month - Insights from Community Payback Supervisor Victoria's 19-Year Career 

In line with this year’s Black History Month theme of ‘reclaiming narratives’, we’re highlighting personal stories and career journeys to illustrate the varied experiences of Probation Service colleagues. We spoke to Victoria, a Community Payback supervisor, about what this year’s …

Enabling Technologies Programme: Sensors & Comms

Learn about several cutting-edge UK projects in satellite sensors and communications, funded by the UK Space Agency.

Reporting on the Future Homes Standard and solar panels

There has been some reporting this week on the Future Homes Standard and solar panels. We are clear we want solar panels on as many new homes as possible and the suggestion that there are plans to water down the rules on low-carbon …

TechTrack: Transforming lives through apprenticeships 

The TechTrack Apprenticeship programme was launched at the end of July. Find out more about this important initiative and how these apprenticeships can assist the ambition for a modern digital government.

Celebrating 10 remarkable years of APHA

This month is a momentous occasion as we commemorate 10 Years since APHA was established in its current form. 

Early Talent at OPSS: The OPSS Regulatory Leaders Graduate Scheme (RLGS)

Our commitment extends to nurturing talent from the very start of their careers through a variety of specialised development programs.

Hear from Emily about her experience of joining the OPSS Regulatory Leaders Graduate Scheme (RLGS) scheme.

To the ReSCUE: Understanding flight heights for seabird conservation and offshore wind expansion

By Eddie Cole, ReSCUE Project Manager; Andrew Harwood, Senior Marine Ornithologist and ReSCUE Technical Lead; Lucy Hawken, Project Support Officer Reducing Seabird Collisions Using Evidence (ReSCUE) is a multi-year, multi-partner project led by Natural England, funded through The Crown Estate’s …