7090posts
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Enabling Technologies Programme: Lasers!
Through the Enabling Technologies Programme (ETP), the UK Space Agency is supporting the development of laser technologies for space applications.
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Make your next Woodland Condition Assessment easier
Did you know that you can complete a Woodland Condition Assessment using an app? Chris Tomlin, Policy Advisor, shares how.
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Thinking big and bold: Meet fast streamer Amad Ahmed
Digital, Data, Technology (DDaT) and Cyber Fast Streamer Amad Ahmed considers what inspires him to think big and to be bold and innovative in his approach to work. Hi, I’m Amad, and I joined Defra last October, as part of …
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D-Day and modern day: learning from a battlefield study
I recently had the honour of taking part in a DIO battlefield study in Normandy, focused on the monumental events of Operation Overlord and the D-Day landings. Battlefield studies are something our military colleagues sometimes undertake to learn from strategies …
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Stakeholder update: FSA Board asks for further discussions on a new form of national level regulation for supermarkets in England
Cymraeg The FSA Board met on Wednesday 18 September 2024 to discuss a range of issues including FSA science, animal welfare, allergen labelling, and proposals for a phased approach towards a new form of food hygiene regulation for large, national …
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My experience on the Summer Internship Programme in MHCLG
A career in MHCLG Digital is open to everyone regardless of their background. The Civil Service Summer Internship Programme fosters an inclusive environment and welcomes individuals from all academic paths, giving them a chance to experience working in the Civil Service. In this post Megan, healthcare student and summer intern in MHCLG, shares her experience within the Local Digital team.
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Explaining National Level Regulation proposals
Cymraeg The food system has undergone dramatic changes in recent years. New technology, changing consumer habits, and global events like the pandemic have all impacted the way the food industry does business. At the FSA we need to ensure the …
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I’ve had nothing but positive impacts, I’ve comfortably eased myself into the working life and can’t wait to see how far I’ll go
National Inclusion Week (NIW) is a week dedicated to celebrating inclusion and taking action to create inclusive workplaces. This year's National Inclusion week takes place this week 23rd September to 29th September, and the theme for 2024 is ‘Impact Matters’, …
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Your guide to who’s eligible for the 2024 flu vaccine
As we approach winter, it’s time for people at risk to be booked in for their free flu jab. If you’re eligible, you need to know why it matters that you take up the offer. Flu is far more than …
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How to protect your charity as the sector continues to face financial pressures
It is unfortunately common for charities to feel financial pressure at some point in their existence, and at the Commission we see the sector’s financial resilience and sustainability as a key current risk.
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World Rivers Day: What are the biggest causes of river pollution and what’s being done about them?
By Helen Wakeham, Director of Water World Rivers Day, celebrated every year on the fourth Sunday of September, is a global event that highlights the importance of rivers and the urgent need to protect them. Public concern around pollution in …
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Building Safety Remediation: August data
Yesterday (19th September), we published the August Building Safety Remediation data which received some national coverage. The Daily Mirror and The Daily Mail have run straight coverage of the data, noting that there has been a rise in the number of buildings that …
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RPA visit to the Allerton Project
In the second of a series of blogs from Customer Director Marie Hardeman, we hear about her visit to the Allerton Project with members of the RPA Customer Board. The board, which was created in March this year, is exploring …
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The 5 year journey to moving .gov.uk to a new registry
Find out how the Domains team planned and executed the biggest ever change to digital infrastructure with zero disruption to citizen services.
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New Chief Social Worker for Adults and Mental Health Social Work lead appointed
I am delighted to announce the appointment of a new Chief Social Worker for Adults and a Mental Health Social Work lead to the Department of Health and Social Care. Chief Social Worker Sarah McClinton will be joining us in …
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Classroom to the courtroom
Our latest podcast offers an insightful look into the collaboration between HMCTS and the University of Reading, providing law students with valuable real-world experiences in the criminal justice system.
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Meet the Modern Civil Service: David Lawson, Medical Technology and Innovation Director at the Department of Health and Social Care
What a modern Civil Service means to me: Developing good, well thought through, deliverable policy and bringing in diverse perspectives. Since my work revolves around medical technology, I spend a lot of time engaging with external stakeholders such as industry …
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How loosely coupled, autonomous teams are improving MOJ’s hosting estate
At the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), we have hundreds of different systems. Over the last six years, we’ve saved tens of millions of pounds on hosting them. In order to do that, we had to change our organisation structure. Most …
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Partners updated on SMA screening project workstreams
The SMA Screening In-service evaluation (ISE) Partnership Board held its latest meeting on 17 September, and received updates from partners, stakeholders and expert sub-groups.
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The Government announces new UK Special Representatives on Climate Change and Nature
It's been a big week for nature as two prominent Cabinet ministers delivered speeches on its importance; ahead of COP16. Read our post to find out the latest.
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Last call for Expressions of Interest: Deputy Chief Scientific Advisor at the Home Office
Deadline: 10:00 am, Monday 23 September 2024 Are you ready to take on a pivotal role in shaping the scientific landscape of the Home Office? This is your final opportunity to express your interest in the position of Deputy Chief …
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Get funding to improve animal health and welfare - your questions answered
On 19 June we introduced the new get funding to improve animal health and welfare service providing eligible keepers of cattle, sheep and pigs with access to two different types of funded vet visits; We’ve been listening to feedback from …
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GOV.UK One Login: Designing for inclusion at scale
In this blog post, learn how our user-centred design work has revealed some surprising findings, and what we’re doing to address them.
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The 14th session of the UN-GGIM: Flying the flag
Isabella McGuinness, Senior Policy Advisor at the Geospatial Commission, shares her experience attending the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) 14th Session in New York.
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Testing the Miyawaki Method in Our Urban Greenspaces
By Louise Butfoy, Trees Outside Woodland Project Officer, Kent Country Council As a Project Officer at Kent County Council, I’ve been working on the Trees Outside Woodlands project since its inception in October 2020. The project is funded by HM …
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Major step forward in government’s devolution revolution as new powers agreed for English regions
There has been widespread coverage of the government’s announcement this week that four devolution agreements will progress in Hull and East Yorkshire, Greater Lincolnshire, Lancashire, and Devon and Torbay. Subject to parliamentary approval and local consent, the devolution agreements will …
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Get the most out of a visit to a beach, lake or river
In this blog, we explain where you can find information to help inform your decisions on where and when to bathe and how we monitor bathing water quality over the summer months. TOP TIP: Check water quality by visiting Swimfo …
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Unlocking potential: products, people and possibilities
Emma Bramley, Area Marketing and Communications Manager for South East and London, introduces us to this year’s National Forestry Conference and its central theme of products, people and possibilities.
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VIKA, the next chapter in publishing
We talked to graphic designer, Victoria Forrest, founder of educational book creators VIKA Books about how and why she protected her IP.
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What do our future innovators and leaders look like?
As we celebrate National Inclusion week, Sarah Jane North reflects on our support of the Springboard Programme. This programme gives a group of students the opportunity to spend a week in London, finding solutions to some real-world challenges.
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Misleading coverage on the Water (Special Measures) Bill
Today we are looking at misleading coverage on the Water (Special Measures) Bill
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The power of collaboration: advancing avian disease diagnosis in Ghana
Ever wondered what APHA staff get involved with abroad? Learn more about a recent journey taken by APHA scientists to Ghana, where they worked to enhance laboratory skills in diagnosing Avian influenza and Newcastle disease throughout West Africa.
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The Civil Service Data Challenge: An exhilarating grand finale
Now in its third year, the Civil Service Data Challenge is a competition that is open to all civil servants, in any department, or at any grade. Competitors are invited to submit data-led project ideas or join a team, to offer a solution to a technical issue or societal challenge. Meet the winners in the latest CDDO blog.
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What is PISA data and how does it measure students’ success at school?
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) measures how pupils are performing in certain subjects at school in countries around the world. It’s run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and assesses the knowledge and skills in mathematics, reading and science of 15-year-olds internationally.
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Oxford Street regeneration
The Deputy Prime Minister and Mayor of London announced plans this week to transform Oxford Street. The Mayor believes his proposals would turn Oxford Street into a more attractive and thriving modern retail and leisure destination attracting more tourists, increasing …
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How we’re continuously improving the Digital and Data Capability Framework
One year ago, the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework returned to public beta with a new design, structure and functionality to better meet the needs of its users. Since then, we have taken a continuous improvement at pace approach to ensure the framework gives users a clear and accurate understanding of digital and data roles and skills in government. Read more in the latest CDDO blog.
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Reverse Pitch: Calling out for collaboration
Find out how start-ups can apply to work with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Justice on tackling some of the most complex challenges facing citizens today.
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What's the value of a pension?
The main public sector employers now contribute more than £50 billion annually to support employee retirement benefits. This begins to shows how significant pensions are in the remuneration of approximately 6 million UK public servants. In this blog we consider how this can be communicated effectively.
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The New Towns Taskforce
The New Towns Taskforce held its first meeting this week in the post-war new town of Milton Keynes. At the meeting, it was confirmed eight industry experts now have a seat at the table alongside Chair, Sir Michael Lyons, and …
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Emerging from the ‘innovation valley of death’: Opportunities and challenges for the seaweed industry in the UK and Europe.
Every new industry or technology requires funding to survive, initially for research and development (R&D), developing processes and products, and then to scaling up to a viable business. A lot of the initial research is supported by public funding, which …