GOV.UK blogs

Consultation launched on banning single-use plastics

There has been widespread national media coverage including in BBC News Online, Sky News, the Telegraph, The Sun, the Guardian, the Independent, the i, the Times and the Daily Express of our announcement of the launch of a Government consultation …

British, Muslim and proud! 

Sadia reflects on her own personal experiences during Islamophobia Awareness Month, and explains why it's important to challenge and break barriers and stand up for others on a human level.  

What you need to know about drug resistant infections: the invisible pandemic

Antimicrobial resistance, the invisible pandemic. Learn more about what has recently been described as a profound threat to global health security and how APHA is sharing our world-renowned knowledge and expertise to protect against this threat internationally.

The cost of school uniforms: new guidance from the Department for Eduction

The Department for Education (DfE) has published statutory guidance to schools on school uniform policy. My son’s school newsletter recently delivered the shock news that school photographs would be the following week. As proud parents we were looking forward to …

Supporting strategic decisions with statistical modelling

In this blog, we talk about how we’ve been using statistical techniques and actuarial skills to analyse instances of fires in schools. This then allows us to better understand and model them.

C’mon chaps, it’s time to admit it…

Today on International Men’s Day (19 November), a member of staff at the Planning Inspectorate (who remains anonymous) questions why mental health issues are such a taboo subject among men

All aboard: Platforms for buildings

With COP26 fresh in our minds, it has never been clearer that we need to build and maintain infrastructure that is sustainable, resilient and high quality in order to deliver the outcomes that we need for people and nature. Against this backdrop, this month a small team from the IPA visited The Forge which aims to be the first net zero carbon commercial building.

Open Banking Payments at HMRC, a team making history

HMRC recently made history by becoming the first tax authority in the world to integrate Open Banking into our systems. We introduced it as an alternative to paying tax with a debit card or corporate credit card. It has the …

Cefas and industry science collaborations: Fisheries monitoring, the electronic age

This is the second in a series of short blogs focussing on Cefas’ fisheries science work in partnership with the fishing industry. Cefas Scientist, Rebecca Skirrow, who is the technical lead on Cefas’ Scientific Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) Programme, is …

School Uniforms – What you need to know

School uniforms can reduce peer pressure at school for the latest clothes and help children feel settled and prepared for school, but they can be costly for parents.

How we geared up for the changes to Driver CPC part 3 tests

Amanda Lane, Policy Manager of Technical Standards for the Rider and Vocational Policy Team, shares her experience of changing the HGV test process.

The cross-government user research blog is back

We’re relaunching the user research in government blog

Developing my career and improving my practice with a specialist NPQ

I’m excited to explore how my National Professional Qualification will directly impact my day-to-day practice. Discovering new strategies to combat truancy, low-level disruption, backchatting or even aggressive behaviour are always welcome in the classroom. I'm also aiming to become Head of Year so look forward to the opportunity to develop my career further through the NPQLBC.

Putting your questions to us

We’re going to do a monthly Q&A session on The Farming Forum. In this post, I'll share our approach to Q&As and links to the ones we've taken part in.

New offence to crack down on dog theft

In today’s blog we look at a new criminal offence to punish those who steal dogs.

Content and interaction –How to become design BFFs

Content design is a collaborative discipline, so when you’re the only content designer in your digital team, it can be lonely. You don’t have that content buddy to bounce ideas off, get a second pair of eyes on your work …

Accessibility: adapting online services to meet your needs

Our Lead Interaction Designer, James Francis, gives advice on how to adapt your technology to best suit your needs.

Why we need to prioritise equality, diversity and inclusion

Gail Larkin, Lead HR Business Partner and lead on equality, diversity and inclusion for employees at the Planning Inspectorate, reflects on the reasons behind the release of Inspectorate diversity statistics this week

Know your enemy: the contribution of veterinary laboratories to antimicrobial stewardship

A world without antimicrobials (including antibiotics) would lead to an increase in serious illness, death and the spread of disease. Learn how APHA are working to protect their future effectiveness and why limiting their use is vitally important.

Blue Belt Programme Overseas Territories playing their part in tackling Climate change

Throughout COP26 (October 31st – November 12th) we have shared with you the potential impacts of climate change being faced by the Blue Belt overseas territories. But we have also shown you the work that is being planned and undertaken …

The four key ways we’re supporting staff wellbeing

Laura Fordham is part of the senior leadership team at Bedford Academy, she shares how they are prioritising staff wellbeing and using the DfE Education staff wellbeing charter and its principles to support this work. After a challenging 18 months, …

Be a ‘Road Safety Hero’ by making sure your eyesight is fit for driving

For Road Safety Week, Dr Cathy Armstrong, Deputy Senior DVLA Doctor, talks about the importance of meeting the minimum eyesight standard for driving.

Why we think online HTML forms are usually better than document-based forms in government

From an initial comparison of different forms technologies, we believe more teams should be using online HTML forms.

What is antimicrobial resistance and why do we need to take action against it?

The national annual report ESPAUR (English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance) outlines the scale of the problem antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses and this blog reflects its latest findings, as well as the actions we can all take to mitigate the effects of AMR.

Collaborative enforcement: Jail for carbon credit fraudsters

Joe is a Senior Investigator at the Insolvency Service. In this blog, Joe writes about how a multi-agency collaboration helped protect the public from scammers.

Establishing horizon scanning functions in government

Over the last few years, Government Office for Science (GOS) Futures team have seen an increase in teams from across government seeking advice about setting up new horizon scanning functions. In response to this, Bethan Morgan, Senior Capability Lead in …

Government sets out commitment to protecting seabed with joint statement on clearing unexploded ordnance

Today the UK Government has published a joint position statement which sets out preference for low noise alternatives to clear unexploded ordnance.

Smarter working and wellbeing for civil servants event

Join Civil Service Local, The Charity for Civil Servants and Civil Service HR in a series of sessions around Smarter Working and your Wellbeing.

Car driving examiners – what’s the role like?

DVSA is launching its third phase of its campaign to recruit more car driving examiners with the aim of reducing waiting times created by the pandemic.

Kelly Swift started as a driving examiner with DVSA in June 2021. She discusses her experience of the recruitment and training process, and how she’s finding her new role.

The Farming Investment Fund launches today 

I’m pleased to say that the Farming Investment Fund launches today. The fund provides grants to farmers, growers, and foresters (including related contractors) so that they can invest in the things they need to improve productivity and enhance the natural environment. In this post, I'll share how you can apply and find out more.

Integrated Marine Management – Working with People for Nature

Marianne Teoh, Senior Integrated Marine Manager, Blue Belt Programme One of the newest recruits to the Blue Belt Team is Marianne Teoh. Marianne is an interdisciplinary scientist and marine manager, who joined us from Fauna & Flora International in Cambodia, …

World Prematurity Day: The day everything changed 

With 1 in 13 babies in the UK born early (before 37 weeks), Carla Giudice shares five ways the Civil Service can best support colleagues with premature babies.  My journey into parenthood started unconventionally. My pregnancy in 2016 was unexpected, …

We’re awarding funding to 9 projects through Round 5 of the Local Digital Fund

Today we’re pleased to announce the 9 council-led digital projects that will be awarded funding through Round 5 of the Local Digital Fund. The aim of the Local Digital Fund is to help councils transform their digital services in line …

Working part-time as a prison officer

As prisons operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, prison officers work shifts. Most work full-time, but some prisons offer part-time working. We caught up with Jason who told us what he likes about working part-time. “I’ve been …

The importance of international engagement for the RPC

Stephen Gibson comments on the RPC's international work during the Covid pandemic

New funding to combat bullying in education - Everything you need to know

Bullying in any form is unacceptable and can have a devastating effect on children, young people and their families. That’s why, as anti-bullying week continues, we have confirmed funding for five leading organisations, worth over £1m in total, to support …

What you need to know about skills and technical education

We want to make sure that education and training gives people the skills they need to go on to get great jobs that are fulfilling for them and boost the economy.

Restoring native tussac grass habitats in the Falkland Islands

  One of the major responsibilities shared by DIO and British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) is the sustainable management of land and facilities used by British forces in the Falkland Islands. This includes the conservation of some of the …

Government considering new action on wet wipes

Today we are looking at media coverage of Government plans for possible new standards for wet wipes

Government Security Awards 2022 - Nominations Now Open!

Dear All, I am hugely excited to announce the launch of this year’s Government Security Awards. This is a great opportunity to celebrate our Government Security profession, who have worked tirelessly to ensure the highest standards across our function, and …