7363posts
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Vocational and technical qualifications: what 10 years of data can tell us
High-quality evidence and insights are at the heart of our regulation. By collecting accurate data and producing clear statistics we gain a better understanding of qualifications, how the market functions and we pave the way to a fairer and more …
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How we fixed connection reset errors on GOV.UK Pay
When the GOV.UK Pay team noticed some test payments were failing, they set about working out what was happening and how to fix it. Here’s what they did.
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CVO comments on a recent paper on the effectiveness of badger culling
Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser Gideon Henderson and I have written to the Veterinary Record to express our concerns about significant methodological flaws in a scientific paper it has published by Langton and colleagues1 on the effect of badger culling on …
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International work update on World Food Safety Day
Anjali Juneja, Director of International and UK Affairs, reflects on the FSA’s international work and explains how we are supporting this year’s World Food Safety Day theme of ‘safe food and better health’.
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How we’re making sure all farm businesses can fairly access money released from Basic Payments
The government has committed to maintain the farming budget for England at £2.4 billion per year throughout this parliament. We will be gradually reducing spending on Basic Payments each year over the next 6 years. Instead, we will make the money available to farmers through one-off grants for capital investment in equipment and technology, and ongoing payments for environmental actions and related advice and support. Farmers will be able to get paid for a combination of actions that they choose, to suit their farm business, food production and the environment.
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Minister Prentis provides update on investigation into crab and lobster deaths
On Thursday 2 June, Fisheries Minister Victoria Prentis provided an update regarding the investigation into huge numbers of crabs and lobsters washed up along the coast of the North East last year.
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Natural England announces new project to protect curlew eggs
Today we are looking at media coverage of Natural England’s project to rescue curlew eggs from airfields in the East of England.
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Iterating the GOV.UK proposition: the first of our improvements for 2022
We update the GOV.UK proposition in response to changing policy and government needs. Read on to find out what’s changed.
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Making caring visible, valued and supported
Two years after launching the Civil Service Carers’ Strategy, Alex Chisholm and Rebecca Sudworth, Civil Service Carers Champion and Deputy Carers Champion, provide an update on progress. Welcome to this year’s Carers’ Week – 6 to 12 June. Across the …
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Celebrating World Environment Day: how we’re setting our sights on sustainable IT
On World Environment Day Defra’s Chief Digital and Information Officer Chris Howes shares his ambitions for sustainable IT, what we’re doing now, and how we are seeking to learn from others.
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On my bike – using pedal power for my volunteering
On World Bike Day Continuous Service Improvement Manager Simone Burke shares her experiences of volunteering at a Bath ‘not for profit’, work that involves her cycling around the city collecting and delivering everyday items to people.
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Time for tea: raising a cup to the IP in the Platinum Jubilee party
From street parties to balloons, to masks. Whatever your plans, we have you covered this bank holiday. We explore some of the fun IP in Jubilee.
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Queen honours people for their contributions to education and childcare
Every year on her official birthday the Queen honours people who have gone above and beyond in public service. The list, published today, includes a number of people honoured for their contributions to education. Among them are: Afia Choudhury OBE Afia …
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The currency of memory: how the Royal Mint and Royal Collection Trust are marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
In the lead up to Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee across the country projects are underway to ensure everyone can celebrate The Queen’s 70-year reign. More than 70,000 ‘Big Lunches’ are planned across the country, activities for children have …
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The night sky in June
Stargazers can look forward to the summer solstice and noctilucent clouds this month.
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A sobering success for alcohol monitoring requirements
According to latest crime statistics, 39% of victims of serious offences believe that alcohol played a part in the offence. Since March last year, courts in England have been able to impose Alcohol Abstinence and Monitoring Requirements (AAMRs). If drinking …
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Introducing You To...
Hi. I’m Paul and I’m a Senior Geospatial Analyst with RPA based in Leeds. I’ve been with the agency for three years, having transferred from Natural England (NE) with the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. However, I’ve worked for NE and its …
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Data Workspace Challenge: how different directorates worked together to make better use of data
Find out how DIT's data team ran a new challenge to drive data literacy across DIT
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A fresh start for new entrants
It's hard to get started in farming, or any related land-based business. Newcomers to the industry (usually known as "new entrants") face all sorts of barriers. It's challenging for them to find land, secure finance and progress their businesses. When we published the Agricultural Transition Plan towards the end of 2020, we said that we would establish a support scheme for new entrants, and make the whole process easier. This blog post is an update on what we've learned so far by working collaboratively with people across the sector and the next steps.
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Managing Together (part 3) – discover what it’s like to be one of HMRC’s 13,000+ managers
Here we are on our 3rd blog of the 5-part series on core manager functions. This time Kian will explain how using ‘Support and Develop’ helps with the wellbeing and effective progression of a team. Support and Develop Kian’s story …
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Is there a legitimate role for facial recognition in policing and law enforcement?
London School of Economics, 5pm-9.15pm, 14 June 2022. Is there a legitimate role for facial recognition in policing and law enforcement? Hear the evidence of experts and make your own judgement - what’s your verdict?
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A day in the life of a probation officer
Ever wondered what a typical day looks like for a probation officer? The role can be challenging yet exciting. We asked Sam Gildersleeve what a day in his shoes looks like. Morning routine After an all-important cup of coffee, Sam’s …
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Meeting with users of Studland Bay
Before Easter our Marine Conservation, South and Marine Planning teams met with recreational boat users in Studland Bay and held drop-in sessions and talks about the voluntary no anchor zone in the area. These talks were in aid of raising …
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Piloting the UK algorithmic transparency standard
Today, the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) and Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) have published the first reports from our transparency standard pilots. The public sector algorithmic transparency standard is one of the world’s first initiatives of …
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Emma Howard Boyd visits Wyre Natural Flood Management project as grants issued to boost investment in nature
Among the 50 projects successful in the second round of the Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund include those to restore and rewet peatlands, create green urban spaces and improve flood resilience.
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Women working in digital, data and technology, part 1: product and delivery
There’s no set path to working in digital, data and technology (DDAT). Women working in these professions here at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) have come from many different backgrounds. Here are some of their stories. …
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How we’re preventing suicides in higher education and supporting mental health
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published data on recent suicide rates amongst higher education students to help the sector gain a better understanding of how to prevent suicides. Here, we guide you through what this data shows and …
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Free school meals and other support for disadvantaged pupils - here's what you need to know
NOTE: This post was updated on 20 October 2022 to refresh the number of pupils in receipt of Universal Infant Free School Meals and to make clearer the ways in which families can be eligible for free school meals. Every …
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Codespaces – a content designer’s best friend
We wanted to make it easier to keep the Get Into Teaching website up to date. So we’ve changed the technology we use to upload content. Content Designer, Ellie Nodder, explains.
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What a difference a year makes
As I reflect on my first full year as a non-executive director of the TRA, it’s fantastic to see the progress that the organisation has made since it became an independent body. While dozens of our colleagues were already working …
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Discovering pre-discovery
The user-centred design team explains how we approached a pre-discovery project.
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Burning on protected peatlands
Allegations that burning has taken place on protected deep peatlands in contravention of Defra regulations.
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External Quality Assurance: Thanks for a job well done
The introduction of end-point assessment (EPA) for apprenticeships has been essential to driving up quality, meeting the aspirations of employers, and boosting public confidence in the programme. External Quality Assurance (EQA) is the system for making sure the assessments are …
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Meet the Top Team: We make ministers’ media moments!
The Cabinet Office External Affairs and Engagement team reveals what goes on behind the scenes to get our ministers out and about meeting people, making tomorrow’s headlines. Amrita Devaiah - Head of External Affairs and Engagement When it came to …
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A sign of the times: The BSL Act has landed
The British Sign Language Act has arrived! When the British Sign Language Act received Royal Assent a few weeks ago, it was big news for the Civil Service BSL Network. The theme of Deaf Awareness Week 2022 was Deaf Inclusion, …
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A new initiative takes volunteering to a new level
It’s National Volunteer’s Week and the Programme and Project Partners are taking the opportunity to say thank you and shine a light on some of the incredible voluntary work that takes place thanks to its 'Timebank' initiative.
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Managing the risk from non-native fish
The Environment Agency’s National Fish Laboratory are undertaking investigations into the risk posed by Prussian Carp, which have been identified in a few of England’s fisheries
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Civil Service winds of change
In the same week, Her Majesty celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, we speak to loyal, long-term civil servants on how life at work has changed over the decades. ‘I felt really modern having a push button phone’ Dawn Lennie is a …
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Simplifying and improving apprenticeships – what this means for you
Apprenticeships help people of all ages to develop the skills and experience they need to secure great careers in a wide range of industries. Because apprenticeships are designed by employers it means you will be learning the specific skills that …
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Shared parental leave: 'This can work successfully at a senior level'
This blog is part of the Infrastructure and Project Authority’s Role Models Campaign, which aims to increase diversity at all grades in the Project Delivery Profession. Zach Cashin is the Deputy Director and the Head of the Project Delivery Profession …