8959posts
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School inspections: frequently asked questions
Since we published the renewed inspection framework on 9 September 2025, we’ve put on lots of online and face-to-face engagement with schools to answer your questions. We’re publishing the most frequently asked questions below, so you can see all the …
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World first as GE Vernova completes Step 2 generic design assessment
We’ve just announced that GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy is the first company in the world to successfully complete our two step generic design assessment (GDA) process. Its BWRX-300 reactor design, a 300 megaWatt electrical (MWe) boiling water reactor, has been issued with a Step 2 statement. What does this mean and what have we …
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Our Voice, Video and Integration journey
Sometimes bigger isn’t better. Three years ago, MoJ launched our Justice Digital Strategy 2025, aiming to become a more flexible organisation, driven by data and led by users. Our Evolve portfolio of projects has played an important role in delivering on this strategy and in Justice Digital’s mission to make things simpler, faster, and better for our users. As 2025 draws to a close, it’s a …
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Minimum brown crab size backed by South West fishermen
The minimum size will be changing on 1 February 2026 to protect stocks and make fishing clearer and fairer across the region.
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Buncefield: 20 years on, reflections from those who were there
For this second piece, we wanted to share first-hand experiences from some of our colleagues who were directly involved. Their memories highlight the scale of the incident and how it continues to influence our work today.
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Rethinking how we approach the design of reservoirs
By Jacqui Jobbins, Landscape Senior Specialist, Natural England As our climate changes and demand for water grows, water companies across the country are planning new reservoirs and expanding existing ones. But these projects aren’t just about storing water – they’re …
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Paws, patents and protection
From slow feeder bowls to retractable leads, discover how intellectual property protects the products that keep our four-legged friends safe and happy.
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Occupations in demand in 2025: what the analysis means for the skills system, by Frank Bowley
Skills England has published its latest analysis, occupations in demand, exploring the occupations most in demand across the UK labour market in 2025. This analysis helps us to understand which employers and industries are likely to be feeling the greatest pressures to recruit and retain workers, and the level of qualification those workers are likely to need. Used alongside other …
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What teachers need to know about our on-screen assessment proposals
As teachers, you know better than anyone that GCSEs, AS and A levels are high-stakes qualifications that shape young people's futures. Every decision about how these exams are delivered must start with one question: is this fair for students? That's …
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100 Days of Cyber & Specialist Operations Command
On 1 September, Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) was officially stood up. It has been an extraordinary 100 days since then, with the transition representing more than just a change of name - it has marked a fundamental evolution …
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Discover our coaching and mentoring opportunities: supporting GSE members with Professional Recognition
The Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Profession leads the way in championing the benefits of mentoring, promoting best practice and recognising its contribution towards professional development, diversity and career growth. Our 2021 strategy demonstrates our commitment to mentoring for GSE members. Mentoring is especially vital for helping colleagues achieve Professional Recognition, building confidence, and establishing networks across …
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Designing public services that work for everyone
Find out how we’re breaking down digital barriers to help everyone benefit from public services, wherever they are.
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Buncefield: 20 years since the incident that changed how we regulate
In the early hours of Sunday 11 December 2005, a dense fog formed around the Buncefield fuel depot on the edge of Hemel Hempstead. A large petrol storage tank was overfilling, and vapours spread across and beyond the site.
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Understanding residents' experiences of housing safety and quality
What does a safe housing system look like when it works for residents? Learn how our System Design team’s research is informing thinking on a new regulator designed to protect residents and improve safety and quality across the built environment.
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Defra group transformation: mapping the whole service landscape
Lucy Hartley, Head of Service Strategy, Ownership and Performance, and Katie Dickerson, Senior Service Designer at TPXimpact agency, reflect on working together to map Defra group services.
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Combinable crop contracts: have your say
From the food on our plates to fuel in our tanks, combinable crops are part of all our lives. A public consultation, open now, seeks views on fairness and transparency in contracts across the combinable crops sector.
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How GOV.UK Pay grew to processing £8 billion in transactions
Since launching in 2016 GOV.UK Pay has now processed £8 billion in card payments online and over the phone. Here we look at how we’ve used data to grow the product to this milestone.
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MMO publishes bass authorisation review report
The review looked at commercial authorisations for bass. Recommendations have been made in this newly published report.
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Hear from the Science Council on why now’s the perfect time to get registered
For day 2 of the Professional Recognition Week, we have a guest blog from one of our partner institutions, the Science Council, showcasing the benefits of registration, myth busting common misconceptions about professional recognition, and some upcoming opportunities for Government Science and Engineering (GSE) members! Please visit the Science Council’s website if you’re interested in reading through case studies of scientists who …
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Coastal Planners corner
Our Coastal Planners have been working with partners, attending key events, and supporting projects that strengthen collaboration and ensure England’s seas are managed sustainably. North East In between developing the Heritage Assets and Employment policies for the revised East Marine …
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Project VERITAS: Pioneering Offline Voice-to-Voice Interpretation for NATO and UK Operations
Imagine being able to speak to someone in their own language, even without internet or translators. Project VERITAS is an innovative initiative set to transform communication in austere and environments where electronic signals must be limited. Led by jHubMed - the …
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Changes to booking system – understanding views and how these inform the planned changes
We have published the full results of our consultation on improving the rules for booking a driving test.
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Appreciating woodland ecosystems through winter birdwatching
Emily Robinson, Content Officer at the Forestry Commission, reveals the birds you can expect to see in our woodlands in winter, and how they contribute to a healthy, woodland ecosystem.
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Bringing together international public designers in Amsterdam, Berlin and Brussels
Recapping the International Design in Government Community activities this year from a conference in Amsterdam to getting together in Berlin. And sharing what is planned for the community in 2026.
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Serious games to support organisation design
Policy Lab has been exploring how serious games can help civil servants make more intentional decisions about organisation design. This post shares what we learned from designing and testing a new game with OD&D professionals across government.
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Collaborative multi-year strategy for the king scallop fishery
The king scallop multi-year strategy will shape the future of UK-EU management collaboration. Catch up with the progress to date and what’s next.
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What Professional Recognition can do for you!
This week we’re celebrating all things Professional Recognition, each day focusing on different aspects of the process, including case studies and testimonies from Government Science and Engineering (GSE) members who have benefitted from the process. Today we’re covering the basics – what Professional Recognition is, how it can benefit you as an individual, and how …
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A User Centred approach to helping colleagues collaborate by improving DBT’s People Finder
How DBT's Employee Experience team combined user research, design and delivery expertise to improve the department's intranet.
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The Architecture Decision Record (ADR) Framework: making better technology decisions across the public sector
We’ve introduced the Architecture Decision Record (ADR) framework to help teams across government make and record technology decisions consistently.
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Glimpse a Geminid meteor this weekend
The peak of the Geminid meteor shower occurs this weekend and with the Moon out of the way you’ve got a great opportunity to spot shooting stars.
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New draft guidance published to support faster and clearer local plan-making
Read about the details of a new plan-making system for England. It will ensure local plans, which are created by councils to shape development in their area, are simpler, faster to prepare, and more accessible for everyone. Learn about new user-tested digital guidance and tools published in draft to help plan-makers deliver local plans faster.
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Consultation opens on evidence relating to population screening for Type 2 diabetes in adults
The UK NSC has opened a public consultation on evidence relating to population screening for Type 2 Diabetes in adults.
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How the Regulatory Policy Committee uses artificial intelligence
The government is keen that all areas of the public sector understand the opportunities from using artificial intelligence (AI) and mitigate the potential risks. The RPC has been experimenting with using AI tools over the past few months to see how far these can help us with different aspects of our work.
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Spotlight on our 2025 GSE Award winners!
The Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Profession recently celebrated the second annual GSE Awards on 20 November recognising the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals and teams across the profession. Organised by a dedicated group of volunteers from various departments, with support from the GSE Profession team and …
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Making the Planning Inspectorate a great place to work
Chief People Officer Hayley Kelly talks about the inspiration she has drawn from the recent CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition and her pride in helping make PINS a great place to work.
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Strategic Planning – there’s a lot of it about!
Compared to the process that produced marine plans published in 2021, let alone the preparation of the first marine plan (for the East) in 2014, there are now other strategic and spatial planning initiatives and projects in play. Notable examples …
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Join us for the FSA open Board meeting – 10 December
Cymraeg The FSA’s final board meeting of the year will take place next Wednesday (10 December) at Victoria Hall, Reading. This is your opportunity to hear first-hand how we’re tackling issues that affect your food. We're discussing a range of …
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From saving orangutans to tracking hornets: the unexpected world of the Operational Delivery Profession at APHA
How the Animal and Plant Health Agency saved a baby orangutan: Find out about the great work APHA does and how the Operational Delivery Profession helps connect people across government delivering on the front line.
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International Volunteer Day: making a difference in our communities
In this post, to mark International Volunteer Day, 3 of our colleagues reflect on their volunteering experience: what motivates them, how their contributions support the people and places around them, and how it connects to their professional values.
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Building a diverse digital future: how our partnership with Colorintech is inspiring the next generation
Over 3,500 people engaged with GDS at Black Tech Fest through our ColorinTech partnership. 92% left inspired to pursue digital Civil Service roles.