7953posts
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It’s all talk: why talking to people is one of the most important things we do
We want to talk to people who need to use our services or understand our work. Sarah Avery, Industry, Government and Parliamentary Affairs Lead, introduces the TRA's Pre-Application Office and discusses the importance of engagement.
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Changing the COVID-19 Case Definition
To adapt to the changing picture on COVID-19 reinfections, UKHSA has changed the case definition for COVID-19. This blog explains how we have done this and why.
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New wader zonal maps - helping to ensure new trees are put in the right place.
New guidance will help to inform woodland expansion in England that works with breeding wader conservation.
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Dragons' Den, Episode 5, Series 19
The combination of a boozy escape room with bouncing music balls and cheesy snacks thrown in this week's episode of Dragons' Den would put a glowing smile on anyone’s face.
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How we plan to support families who choose home education through registers of children not in school
There are a wide range of reasons why some families might prefer to home educate children. In the vast majority of cases home educating parents do an excellent job and that’s why we want to support families who want to …
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The night sky in February
Our February night skies host some of the most distinctive and spectacular constellations, so wrap up warm and make the most of any clear nights that come around!
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A year in review – where are we on net zero?
In 2021, the Environment Agency outlined how it would reach net zero by 2030. Here, Sustainable Business Manager Simon Dawes looks back at the challenges and achievements – and anticipates what’s yet to come in 2022.
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Four things I’ve learnt as a Policy Designer
Matt Nicol from the Department for Education reflects on his experience of working in public policy design.
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How we use Slack to respond to service incidents
We wanted to get better at responding to incidents, so we built our own Slack bot. James Glenn explains.
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It’s good to talk – really, it is
Today we’re marking #TimeToTalk Day, and encouraging people to start a conversation about mental health, with a post from one of our Senior Workforce Advisors, Kay Finn, who shares her experiences of homeworking and the challenges of combatting loneliness.
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How we are tackling behaviour in schools to help maintain calm classrooms
Every child should have the opportunity to learn in a calm, orderly, safe and supportive environment where their education won’t be disrupted by misbehaviour. While most students are well-behaved, we know it can be a cause of stress for teachers …
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How rebuilding schools and colleges around the country will help level up education for all
We want all young people to learn in modern, fit for purpose buildings, regardless of their background or where they’re from. Some of the schools in our estate don’t meet the standards pupils and families should expect, and the school …
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Water companies required to do more to protect environment
There has been coverage in the Times, Guardian, Business Green and elsewhere about the Government’s priorities set out today for the water industry, including doing more to protect the environment and reduce storm overflows. The new Strategic Policy Statement …
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The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) supporting rural mental health
We can all play a part in helping people whose mental health is at risk. The smallest act can go a long way. Here at the RPA we are taking this seriously and looking at what we can do to …
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Future Farming Podcast: Tim Parton on nitrogen-fixing bacteria and nutrient-dense food
In the sixth episode of the Future Farming Podcast, Programme Director Janet Hughes talks to Tim Parton. Tim is Farm Manager at Brewood Park Farm, Staffordshire, where he manages 300 hectares using regenerative agriculture methods. Find out how Tim moved to no-till, reduced insecticide and fungicide use and brewed his own nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
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How we’re building our service assessment function in DIT
The feedback received so far is generally positive. Service teams want independent peer review, support, and guidance and this process provides that.
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What to expect on a primary deep dive – some guidance for subject leaders
Heather Fearn and Jonathan Keay, Her Majesty’s Inspectors from Ofsted’s curriculum team, discuss some key points about what primary subject leaders (especially small primary schools) can expect from deep dives. This blog builds on our previous blog about the simple …
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Inside Policy: Unlocking the potential of young people
Since 2014, the Civil Service has provided around 6,000 work placements every year to jobless youngsters. Here, Debbie Alder explains how Movement to Work helps crack the vicious ‘no experience - no job’ cycle to help youngsters nail their first …
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Greener farming advice during the agricultural transition period
I’m fortunate to be the Director of the Greener Farming and Fisheries Programme in Natural England. There’s a wide remit under the greener farming umbrella but one area that I want to focus on here is Natural England’s role in …
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Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi: What levelling up means to me
This week the Government launched its plan to level up the country so that every person can have exactly the same opportunity to make the most of their abilities and succeed in life. Education plays a key part in that …
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Upgrading Celery on GOV.UK Notify
How we improved Notify’s performance by upgrading the software we use, and what we learned along the way.
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"If we give children a quality education and a fair shot, I believe they can and will do incredible things". Children and Families Minister Will Quince on new SEND support
If we give children a quality education and a fair shot, I believe they can and will do incredible things. Talented, ambitious young people are found in every corner of our country, from the coasts of Cornwall to the streets …
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Podcast: Tackling your digital carbon footprint
What impact are digital estates having on climate change? What challenges do organisations face in improving their sustainability offer? Find out what we're doing in our first podcast of a brand new series.
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Landscape Recovery: first round now open for applications
The Landscape Recovery scheme is for landowners and managers who want to take a more radical and large-scale approach to producing environmental and climate goods on their land. I’m pleased to say that the application window for the first round of Landscape Recovery pilot projects is now open.
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Public Consultation on new Clinical Trials Legislation
The MHRA has launched an 8-week public consultation on proposals for legislative changes for clinical trials. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, the Medicines and Medical Devices Act allows us the opportunity to update our current legislation in relation …
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World Cancer Day: Big wins from small acts of kindness
Ahead of World Cancer Day on 4 February, Seonaid Webb tells how small kindnesses can help make such a difference to colleagues facing cancer. Over the past two years, the impact of COVID-19 on people affected by cancer has been …
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Making hearing lists more accessible to court and tribunal users
As part of our commitment to open justice, we're developing a new service that will modernise and improve how members of the public, the media and legal professionals find court and tribunal hearing lists.
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How we are levelling up education all over the country
Every person should have the same opportunity to make the most of their abilities and succeed in life. But, currently, too many people’s chances of getting on in life are adversely affected by where they live. The government’s central mission …
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One South West Civil Service careers showcase
Tickets are now available for our One South West Civil Service careers showcase on Monday 7 March. The event will include an introduction from senior leaders in the Rural Payments Agency, Crown Prosecution Service, National Crime Agency and HM Revenue and Customs.
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Improving Farming Productivity grant: dairy scoring update
The 2-step application process for the Improving Farm Productivity grant starts with an online eligibility checker. Unfortunately, the online checker was scoring dairy sector applications ‘weak’ or ‘average’. It did not appear possible to score highly. This error was investigated and a glitch in the scoring was identified. It has been fixed. Those who were deterred from applying …
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Regulatory Policy Committee welcomes new members
A welcome and introduction to the RPC's five new members and one re-appointment.
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The expansion of the beauty industry in the UK
The beauty and health industry is growing rapidly. We take a look at the number of live companies using ‘beauty’ in their name and speak with Clinica Fiore Skin Medica, a cosmetic skin clinic that’s noticed a rise in popularity amongst the younger generation.
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The most popular words in live UK company names
An analysis of the most popular words used in live UK company names.
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Standard industrial classification (SIC) codes: offering insight into the business climate
Standard industrial classification (SIC) codes are a useful tool for organising the number of companies in the UK. Here, we take a look at pairings of SIC codes, which offers a more detailed picture of companies and the wider trends within the UK business climate.
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An analysis of the first letter of live company names in the UK
We take a look at the popularity of initial letters in live company names.
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How bookstores are making a comeback in the UK
We examine the history of bookselling companies in the UK and take a look at how independent bookstores are making a comeback.
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How communities have helped public houses and bars in the UK
Pubs are so commonplace in the UK, they often seem part of the landscape itself. We discover how people and the art of being together are helping to keep pubs going in the UK.
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Analysing the age demographics of business sectors in the UK
We look at the various ages of directors to reveal interesting business trends in the UK.
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A history of ice cream manufacturing for the general public
In recent years, the number of ice cream manufacturers has exploded. We look at the history of ice cream manufacturers in the UK, and how companies like Ruby Violet are adding to the nation’s love for ice cream.
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Scottish distilleries: standing the test of time
For such an old and distinguished industry, Scottish distilleries have had quite an uncertain decade. Here we examine how distilleries in Scotland are making an innovative comeback, with the spotlight on Isle of Arran Whisky.