7685posts
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The night sky in November
The night-time temperatures have dropped noticeably in recent days, but don’t let that deter you from venturing out to look at the stars!
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The connection between the climate and nature crises
With the most important climate summit ever, COP26, taking place in Glasgow, the world must seek solutions for the nature crisis alongside the climate crisis. The Environment Agency’s Deputy Director for Sustainable Business Van Griffiths explains. My name is Van …
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Our graduate programme: Chris’ experience
Applications for our graduate Tax Specialist Programme (TSP) are now open! You have until 19 November 2021 to apply. Chris joined the TSP straight after graduating in 2014 and now works on our policy team. Read on to find out …
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One Health Day
On this, the 6th International One Health Day, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the achievements that we as a team, across the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the UK, have made - …
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Schools and Academies Show - November 2021
Megan Thomas, Stakeholder and Engagement Manager for the Schools Commercial Team talks about what the team are up at the Schools and Academies Show in November.
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Diversity and Inclusion – Creating a Welcoming Workplace for All
Author: Alison Woodgate – Business Support Manager, UK Health Security Agency When you are nominated by a senior manager to take part in an academy for future leaders, what do you do? Grab it with both hands and run with …
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A One Health approach to tackling Brucella canis cases in imported dogs
One Health Day highlights the need for a collective approach to tackling joint disease threats to people, animals and the environment. This year, our annual blog focuses on APHA’s role in recent cases of Brucella canis in Great Britain and how, together with the UK Health Security Agency, we immediately responded to this.
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Transparency and data – UKHSA’s vaccines report
Vaccines work. They have played a critical role in breaking the link between infection and severe outcomes, and we should express our gratitude to the scientists who developed life-saving vaccines against COVID-19 and to those who work tirelessly every day to roll out the programme at pace across the country.
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COP26 - Climate Change Special: CLIMAR Framework
The changing climate, and the requirement to transition to a low-carbon economy, mean businesses and governments will increasingly need access to decision-ready environmental information. The Joint Centre for Excellence in Environmental Intelligence (JCEEI) is a world-leading collaboration between the UK …
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Join our International Men's Day Events to Get Men Talking
Join us for our International Men's Day Events and Help Get Men Talking
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My path to becoming a Senior Agile Delivery Manager
I started out as a linguist. I remember when I was at school, whenever people would ask me what I wanted to do and my answer was “languages”, they always asked, “Oh, do you want to be a bilingual secretary?”. …
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RPC Corporate Report 2021
Stephen Gibson, RPC Chair, highlights key points from the report of the committee's activity last reporting year.
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Coverage of second day of COP26
Today we are looking at media coverage of the second day of climate change summit COP26.
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An update on the Farming Investment Fund
In this post, we provide an update on the Farming Investment Fund.
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Bridging the divide to train Civil Service Leaders
A new Government Digital Service leadership programme aims to help support our Grade 6 and 7 future leaders The Government Digital Service is an 800-strong unit whose mission is to transform the provision of public services. Our goal is to …
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Exploring misconceptions about the Single Justice Procedure
More convenient, simpler and less-resource heavy – the Single Justice Procedure (SJP) has many advantages for defendants who wish to plead guilty to minor offences and those processing their case. But some have criticised the process. Here Sian Jones, HMCTS Head of Legal and Professional Services, addresses some common misconceptions.
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Podcast: Deploying and using ephemeral environments
Hear all about how we’re using ephemeral environments to help our teams develop and test updates, products and applications in a safe, self-contained environment.
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Encouraging learner drivers to be better prepared for their test
We are working with researchers to help us to develop our campaign that will encourage learners to only book and take a driving test once they’re ready.
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Podcast - Think digital, act human: future ways of working
What is future ways of working and why is it important? Jack Collier, Head of Digital for School Services, talks to Adaobi Ifeachor about designing office spaces now that we return to work, and how this impacts culture as well as diversity and inclusion.
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Using the power of nature to increase flood resilience
James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency At the Environment Agency we’re very good at building walls and embankments to reduce the risk of flooding to vulnerable communities. The trouble is, in a changing climate that is not enough. …
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Coverage of COP26 as summit begins
There has been widespread coverage of the climate change summit COP26 which started yesterday (31 October). Following an interview with environmental editor Emma Gatten, a piece in The Daily Telegraph includes comments from the Environment Secretary regarding a range of …
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Trustees’ Week, encouraging different perspectives
Today marks the start of Trustees’ Week, the time of year when we unite to celebrate the vital work of charity trustees.
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FACTSHEET: Operation Warm Welcome in action
Resettlement for Afghan nationals arriving in UK The following outlines the wraparound support being provided to Afghan nationals through Operation Warm Welcome (OWW). OWW is a significant cross-government effort, ensuring Afghans and their families are supported upon arrival in the …
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GAD’s getting ready for Glasgow
As delegates from around the world gather in Glasgow for the COP26 climate change conference, GAD looks at what is set to be debated and what the conclusions could mean for our clients.
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How does school funding work and how does the Budget affect it?
This chart illustrates per pupil funding in real terms taking into account both funding through the National Funding Formula and other revenue streams. Every area, school and child is different so the way in which schools are funded can seem …
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Eligible for a free flu vaccine this winter? Don’t wait, book it.
With flu and COVID-19 expected to be in wide circulation together this winter, we are urging more people than ever to get their free flu vaccine, if they are eligible. In this blog we answer some common questions about this year’s flu season.
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Launching a consultation on conversion therapy
Mike Freer was recently appointed the Minister for Equalities, with a specific focus on LGBT rights. Read our Q and A with him where he discusses today's launch of the government’s proposals to ban conversion therapy and the accompanying consultation …
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How we made the GOV.UK accordion component more accessible
We updated an accordion component to be more accessible and here’s how we did it.
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GSE Strategy: A commitment to inclusivity
I am pleased to announce the launch of the Government Science & Engineering (GSE) Profession Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Strategy. Following the launch of the 2021 GSE Profession Strategy, the Profession committed to providing detailed plans which would outline how …
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Secondary school applications: What parents and prospective pupils need to know before deadline day
This Sunday (31 October) is the deadline for prospective pupils to submit their applications for state-funded secondary school places. Secondary school is an important and exciting step in pupils’ education, and many parents and guardians will have already submitted applications …
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Windrush Compensation Scheme factsheet - October 2021
Windrush Compensation Scheme factsheet - October 2021 We are determined to put right the terrible injustices faced by some from the Windrush generation and the wider Commonwealth by successive governments. To help right those wrongs, the Home Office has put in place a range …
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What new research tells us about the impact of COVID-19 on charities
We have long known anecdotally that the COVID-19 pandemic is having a profound impact on many charities. But as regulator, we needed more concrete data to help us understand how the pandemic has shaped charities so far, and, crucially, to gain a picture of the risks that may lie ahead. To that end, we undertook a project to assess the impacts of COVID-19.
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Black History Month 2021 in the Civil Service
Thirty four years, and still going strong, October has marked Black History Month here in the UK. But what is it, and how does it impact civil servants? As Black History Month draws to a close, it’s got me thinking …
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Podcast: How our Site Reliability Engineers migrated GOV.UK Pay
Wondered how to migrate a 24/7 product to a serverless platform? We chat about initial user research, developing DevOps skills and the benefits of GDS's approach to this type of tech project.
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Planning for leaving care: some initial thoughts from our research
During National Care Leavers' Week, Yvette Stanley, our National Lead for Regulation and Social Care, discusses our forthcoming research publication on planning for leaving care.
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An inside look into DVLA’s STEM programme
Mark Jones, Head of Ethical Hacking Services, and lead STEM ambassador, provides an insight into DVLA’s STEM programme.
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Celebrating Black History Month 2021 at the Food Standards Agency
As Black History Month 2021 draws to a close, Freddie Lachhman, Transaction Officer at the Food Standards Agency, reflects on this year’s events.
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Responding to the challenge of cold weather and winter
The Cold Weather Plan for England outlines actions and advice for reducing preventable cold weather-related deaths and ill-health. This blog explores how the plan meets the challenge posed by cold weather by planning for and responding to cold temperatures.
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GDF Supplier Day – we need you
RWM Commercial Manager Paul Hinson reflects on a day of constructive discussions with potential suppliers to the UK GDF programme.
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Flying high! Using drones to collect evidence of illegal waste sites
Kim Mynard, Regulatory Officer at the Environment Agency, discusses harnessing the power of drone technology to help take action against those causing harm to our environment. When I joined the Environment Agency about two and a half years ago, little …