6989posts
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Things we learned at this summer's agricultural shows
We went to these shows intending to talk about the changes coming in the farming sector, but just as importantly, to listen to concerns and learn from different experiences. Some themes emerged from the conversations we had. This post is about what we heard, and how we're responding.
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The UK NSC is recruiting for members!
Find out more about the 12 current vacancies for UK National Screening Committee members.
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Government launches consultation on proposed revisions to the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice
The government has launched a consultation on proposed alterations to the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice. This is the first revision to the Code since its introduction in June 2013.
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How we’re keeping our students engaged with testing as they return to school or college
Karen shares how her school has encouraged participation in COVID-19 testing amongst students and staff over the past year and why it’s important for students to continue to test as they return to school and college.
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Co-production isn’t just for Co-production Week
When you have a ‘week’ or ‘month’ concentrating on a theme or a campaign, it can really focus minds. But there’s also the danger that, once the week or month has passed, the issue gets sidelined. Co-production Week, which the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) ran in early July, got a good conversation going. Gerard Crofton-Martin, Head of Research, Practice Improvement and Co-production wants to make the most of this awareness raising...
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Heavy vehicle testing review – moving forward
In the first of a regular series of blog posts, Neil Barlow, Head of Vehicle Policy and Engineering, explains more about the Heavy Vehicle Testing Review and what has been achieved so far.
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Fish Health Inspectorate: protecting wild and farmed aquatic animals
Serious diseases pose a threat to aquatic animal health both in aquaculture and in the wild. Many of these diseases have no effective treatment and have the potential to cause high numbers of mortalities in aquatic animals, with the consequent …
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NIPE screening team celebrates full roll out of SMaRT4NIPE (S4N) IT system and national standards
Read about the full roll out of S4N across England and other recent PHE NIPE screening team achievements.
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Five reasons to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you're pregnant
The COVID-19 vaccine is available to pregnant women at any point during their pregnancy. To date at least 62,000 women in the UK have received at least one dose. If you’re expecting, here are five key reasons why you should …
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Shellfish sleuths- seafood-borne human illness investigations
One of the less well-known aspects of Cefas’ seafood safety work is in support of seafood-borne human illness investigations. In the UK, an estimated 12,000-14,000 people per year experience sickness and diarrhoea after eating seafood, usually raw oysters. Frequently shellfish-borne …
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Government Grand Designs
Managing the UK's biggest property portfolio of 300,000 public buildings is undeniably a tall order. Now the Civil Service has launched the Government School of Property to help staff deliver the best possible public services. Government property is a brilliant …
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Independent scrutiny and the Better Regulation Framework
RPC Chair Stephen Gibson discusses the value of independent scrutiny.
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Busting acronyms with a chatbot: How my acronym confusion led to a chatbot
Making working at DIT easier, explaining acronyms and jargon using the technology we already have.
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Cefas evidence supports successful prosecution in the Environment Agency versus Southern Water wastewater permit breaches case
Southern Water have recently been fined a record £90m for deliberately pouring sewage into sea. The Environment Agency also highlighted their response to the case which saw 6,971 unpermitted sewage discharges taking place in Kent, Hampshire and Sussex between 2010 …
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Podcast: Digital identity - working with government services
Helena Trippe and Will Myddleton share how the Digital Identity team works with colleagues in departments, like guest Tom Stewart from Veterans UK, to ensure users are getting the most out of services.
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Every day’s a school day – enhancing our sustainability knowledge
The Environment Agency has joined the Supply Chain Sustainability School – one of the first government organisations to do so. Simon Dawes, head of sustainable business strategy for the Environment Agency, explains the benefits.
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Podcast - Think digital, act human: Black voices in digital and technology
What does it mean to be a Black digital and technology expert in government? Adaobi Ifeachor speaks to Virginia Brown, a Black Content Design Lead, Courtney Allen, a Black Associate Product Manager and Keisha Herbert, a Black Senior User Researcher, to learn about their journeys into the Civil Service.
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Beaver consultation launch media coverage
We look into the media coverage of our consultation launched to seek views on the cautious release and management of beavers into the wild
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Ofsted’s response to the Case for Change
The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care published its Case for Change on 17 June, having heard evidence from hundreds of people working with children and families, and from even more with lived experience of children’s social care. This builds on the huge response to its earlier calls for …
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Liquid History – a personal view of the tidal River Thames
Water Quality Technical Specialist, Neil Dunlop, gives us a personal view of the River Thames and the multi-billion pound programme of work to improve water quality
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NHS bowel cancer screening pathologists lead the way virtually
Read about how the bowel cancer screening pathology study days were held virtually and what's coming next.
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Cefas bequeathed priceless biological reference collection
Safe and sustainable seafood is the core focus of research teams in Cefas’ Weymouth lab, investigating a range of hazards including bacteria, viruses and naturally occurring toxins that impact either human or animal health. Recently Cefas was bequeathed an entire …
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Farming in Protected Landscapes: ideas for your farm
In this video, Suzanne Fletcher from the Peak District National Park and Tom Munro from the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty explain the Farming in Protected Landscapes application process and give you some ideas of the projects you could do on your farm.
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Profile: Kelly Paterson, Chief Security Officer HMRC
I am honoured to have been asked to share my story. It’s not unique, exciting or even that special. But if it encourages anyone who has listened to the little voice of doubt in their head, my job is done. …
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Back to school – what you need to know
Pupils all over the country are beginning to return to schools and colleges after their summer breaks. For many pupils they will be returning with far fewer restrictions than when they left for the summer holidays.
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Disability and Me
Gill Atkinson, Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, shares her inspiring account of living and successfully working with an invisible disability. I was recently asked in a FCDO survey, ‘Do you self-define as disabled?’ At a personal level, the question annoyed …
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Science Capability Review and Science Systems Lead
The Government Office for Science works at the heart of Government, to ensure that policies and decisions are informed by the best scientific evidence and strategic long-term thinking. It is a very exciting time to join the organisation, we have …
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Telegraph on new National Parks
We clarify the speculation in the Telegraph this weekend that the Chilterns and Cotswolds are set to become National Parks
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Listening to charities’ experiences of the coronavirus pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a shared experience like no other, but it has also affected everyone - countries, organisations, people - in innumerable different ways. This summer we held a series of roundtable discussions with small and medium-sized charities to hear about their experiences.
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Introducing the GSE Recognition offer – Recognition Launch Week
The Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Profession is proud to launch the beginning of their new Recognition offer. This offer will provide GSE members with bespoke support to become professionally registered with an institution that best aligns with their professional …
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Measures of Price Inflation: RPI, CPI, and CPIH
This blog looks at how inflation was affected over the pandemic and the outcome of a consultation to reform the UK’s longest standing measure of inflation, the Retail Price Index.
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G7 Strategic Research Programme Lead
The Office of Product Safety and Standards is recruiting for a G7 Strategic Research Lead into the Research, Evidence and Dissemination (RED) team. The RED team is responsible for the Office’s Strategic Research Programme and Research Hub, developing new and …
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G7 Technical Policy Lead
The Office of Product Safety and Standards is recruiting for a Technical Policy Lead into the Research, Evidence and Dissemination (RED) team. The RED team is responsible for the Office’s Strategic Research Programme and Research Hub, developing new and novel …
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G7 Laboratory Manager
The Office of Product Safety and Standards is recruiting for a Laboratory Manager into the testing team. The team holds responsibility for the internal product testing which feeds into overall OPSS regulatory activities and research. On any given day, the …
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From Mars enabled technology to state of the art healthcare techniques
We recently hosted an event for anyone across government who might have heard about knowledge assets (KAs) but hadn’t had an opportunity to learn more about the vast potential for this work. KAs are becoming increasingly important to the economy …
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Plans outlined to tackle cruel puppy smuggling trade
In today’s blog we look at the launch of our consultation on new measures to tackle puppy smuggling and low-welfare pet imports.
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Get involved and tell us your pharmacovigilance hot topics
Take part in our survey and let us know what you would like to hear about at the next GPvP symposium.
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HMRC is leading the way for accessible services
Digital services have made a significant impact on the lives of many in the UK and transformed the way we interact with businesses and connect with those around us. There are 14.1 million people living with a disability and they …
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When blood spot sample takers need to begin offering SCID screening
Here are the dates when blood spot takers need to start offering parents and carers severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) screening as part of an evaluation in England.
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Becoming a Software Developer through my DIT apprenticeship
"Take opportunities given and view each day as a chance to learn something new”. My experience of software developer apprenticeships at DIT