7090posts
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Update to the RAAC list
*Updated on 3 October 2024* This fact sheet sets out our position on the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the NHS. RAAC is a lightweight form of precast concrete, frequently used in public sector buildings in the …
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Into the woods: fungi season in Streatham Common
For UK Fungus Day 2024, this month's 'Into the woods' blog by Emily Robinson delves into the world of fungi and urban woodland ecology at Streatham Common.
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Civil Service Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference
Angela MacDonald, HMRC Deputy CEO and Second Permanent Secretary, talks about how the 6th annual Civil Service Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference, plays a vital role in raising awareness and making a meaningful impact on our mental health. Angela leads …
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Creating an online form to apply for a county parish holding (CPH) number
Senior content designer Alice Wilson writes about how she worked with the Defra Forms team to create a more accessible online version of a PDF form for livestock keepers.
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SCS2 Chief Scientific Adviser, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Job summary The Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) is the most senior scientist in FCDO. The CSA plays a leading role in enabling the FCDO and the government to harness the power of research, evidence, expertise, and science diplomacy to deliver …
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Five of the best Civil Service online learning courses
Government Skills online learning business partner, Gail Charlton picks out five of the best courses available to all civil servants. Gail says: “In the past year alone, civil servants completed around 2 million courses from the hundreds available on the …
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Design, delivery, and determinism: reflections on the SDinGov conference 2024
Back from the recent Service Design in Government 2024 conference in Edinburgh, Dominic, a senior user researcher in MHCLG's Common Tools as a Service team, shares his key takeaways from an event rich with insights on design, delivery, and the use of artificial intelligence.
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Bridging gaps – how mediation supports parties in small claims cases
In our latest blog, Delivery Director Julia Hopkins explains the work our Small Claims Mediation teams, who are supporting people to find a resolution away from the courtroom, saving them the time and stress of coming to court.
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Do you want to be a part of the Regulatory Policy Committee?
The RPC is currently recruiting for members. If you believe you have the experience and skills to be a member of the committee and offer comments and insight into the analysis and evidence underpinning regulatory proposals, we would be pleased to consider your application.
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What’s next for the Government Office for Technology Transfer?
Blog by Dr Alison Campbell, CEO of GOTT Looking back on the last 2 and a half years that I’ve been leading the organisation, I am really proud of how far GOTT has come and most importantly, the impact we …
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Empowering diversity in social care: celebrating Black History Month
As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s important to reflect on the rich history and achievements of black professionals across health and social care. It also gives us time to reflect on the ongoing need to create more inclusive and …
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Inside the RPA: Kath Illidge
In a series from the Rural Payments Agency’s customer team, we’re featuring video interviews and blogs from some of the key people whose roles are focussed on delivering and improving the services provided to customers. In the fifth video and blog …
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GSE awards 2024 – meet the winners
The inaugural GSE awards were held at the GSE conference at the Science Museum on 18 September. The GSE awards were drawn up by a team of volunteers from across the GSE Profession, under the guidance of the GSE Profession …
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Beyond publishing: key actions from our first five plans
Publishing fisheries management plans is just the start. Here are some of the actions we've taken so far for the first five published plans.
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Reducing grey squirrel overpopulation: The role of contraceptives in conservation
Managing grey squirrel populations is important to ensure the recovery of our native reds. Find out from APHA’s Sarah Beatham how her team are developing a contraceptive to reduce grey squirrel numbers.
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Rabies in Ghana: The silent bites
When clinical symptoms appear, rabies is nearly 100% fatal. To reduce this, the UK government has contributed 15,000 doses of rabies vaccine, along with laboratory equipment and supplies, to the Ghanaian Ministry of Food and Agriculture through its ODA-funded Animal Health System Strengthening project, part of UKAid.
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Highlights from the Government Science and Engineering Conference 2024
Showcasing our science and engineering superheroes The biennial Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Conference 2024, held on 18 September, was a great opportunity to showcase the science and engineering superheroes in the Profession. The conference brought together Profession members from …
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My Charity Commission Account
When people interact with our services, we want this to be as efficient and helpful an experience as possible for them. That’s why we have set an ambition to embrace technological innovation and improve our online services as part of our new five year strategy.
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How the National Forest has transformed a scarred mining landscape to a thriving haven for nature
In this post, Stuart Dainton, Head of Land Management and Estate at the National Forest, tells us how the Minorca Wood is being transformed to create a haven for nature and people.
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SEO Senior Scientific Officer, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport supports culture, arts, media, creative industries, tourism, sport and civil society - recognising the UK’s world leading position in these areas and the importance of these sectors in contributing so much to our …
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How can we design greener policies?
Designer Becky Miller from Defra writes about the challenge of designing greener public policies and services.
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Who needs to submit an EY2 form, and tips for completing it
In this blog, we’ll set out who needs to submit an EY2 form and give you some tips on completing it, which will help us process your submission quickly and efficiently. Do I need to complete an EY2 form? If …
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Funding Service: why combining self-service with a human touch works best for grant teams
In the world of designing and launching new funds, guided self-service will allow grant teams in MHCLG to pick up and re-use established patterns to support grant delivery with minimal input from the department’s Funding Service. Read about examples of guided self-service and the reasons why it’s needed.
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Turning up the heat: Advancing UK science to better predict and respond to marine heatwaves
By John Pinnegar, Director of the International Marine Climate Change Centre, Cefas and Caroline Rowland, Head of Oceans, Cryosphere and Dangerous Climate Change, Met Office. In 2023 and 2024, global air temperatures reached unprecedented levels, with 2023 being officially the …
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How we are leading a bold and innovative approach to online forms
Jenny Taylor explains how the Defra Forms team has launched a new way to provide accessible online forms that meet a broad range of user needs across the Defra group and ends our ongoing reliance on paper-based forms.
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Shifting perspectives: from clean air to healthy air
Jointly authored by: Dr Pippa Douglas (Environment Agency), Dr Emma Marczylo (UK Health Security Agency) and Prof. Sean Tyrrel (Cranfield University) IntroductionWhen we talk about air quality, the term "clean air" often comes to mind. Clean air initiatives have played …
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An update on our plans for Med Tech regulatory change
Our external engagement on the programme of regulatory changes for medical devices has re-started in earnest this week following the pre-election period and early discussions with new ministers. Bilateral meetings with Trade Associations have begun again, we are speaking at …
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Should I swim in the river or at the beach?
Summer is ending and you may be tempted to go for a swim in the river instead of the sea for a change, with just under half of the new bathing water sites announced this year being in rivers. So …
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Industry experts share experiences of Biodiversity Net Gain on small sites
In this Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) guest blog industry experts sharing examples of BNG on small sites. They are: Our guests discuss how they use the Small Sites Metric (SSM) calculation tool. It applies only to ‘small sites’ as defined …
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Extending the tree health pilot scheme
I’m pleased to share that funding for the tree health pilot scheme has been extended. In this post, I’ll include a short overview of the scheme and details of what the extension includes.
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Accessibility is everyone's business
How we make sure DBT's corporate and public services are accessible to all
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A new term has started for Fisheries Management Plans
Things are ramping up - what a new government means for Fisheries Management Plans?
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Applications are open for the Royal Society Pairing Scheme
Civil Service applications are now open until 6 November 2024 What is the Royal Society Pairing Scheme? The Royal Society Pairing Scheme is a long-standing collaboration between the Government Science & Engineering (GSE) Profession and The Royal Society. Each year …
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The value of our LGBT+ employees - Dr Juliet Long, Chief Strategist for Site Decommissioning and Remediation, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
This week celebrates National Inclusion Week (23rd – 29th September), a week dedicated to celebrating inclusion and taking action to create inclusive workplaces, with this year’s theme being ‘Impact Matters’, centring around identifying the impact on marginalised groups and taking …
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How government defines a service
The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) is introducing a cross-government definition of a service.
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Explaining allergy advice on mustard ingredients contaminated with peanuts
Cymraeg On Friday 18 October 2024 we published updated guidance for consumers. This supersedes the information on this blog. You may have seen recent coverage or information regarding mustard ingredients contaminated with peanuts. The FSA are advising people who have …
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Nutrient planning is not small potatoes
An Environment Agency expert discusses the importance of nutrient planning. I'm a Senior Environment Officer for Agriculture for the Environment Agency and part of my role involves assessing whether the fertilisers and manures that a farmer plans to use are …
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Safety in school kitchens and laundries: the vital role of risk assessments and equipment checks
Julie Noble is health, safety, and fire resilience technician for the risk protection arrangement (RPA), the DfE’s alternative to commercial insurance. In this blog post, Julie talks about how schools' kitchen and laundry risk assessments and equipment checks are essential tools for keeping everyone safe.
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The Sand Dune Managers Handbook: second edition
Natural England are delighted to announce the launch of the much anticipated second edition of the Dynamic Dunescapes Sand Dune Manager’s Handbook. This update has been written to support site managers and landowners to improve the condition of sand dunes …
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Home Office recognised as a top apprenticeship employer
The Home Office has successfully achieved 16th place in the Top 100 Apprentice Employers 2024. The rankings celebrate England’s outstanding employers. They recognise commitment to offering new apprenticeships, the diversity of those on programme, and the number of apprentices who successfully complete. …