GOV.UK blogs

Dragons’ Den, Episode 13, Series 18

Peter Jones returned to the Den with renewed vigour this evening after his period of absence. From an app that tracks carbon footprint, to reduced-sugar jams and a patented pooper-scooper, the Den was set alight with intellectual property…but which inventions had the Dragons chomping at the bit?

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: invisible disabilities

A look at a creative way to engage colleagues in thinking about hidden disabilities.

Designing a national booking service for COVID-19 vaccination appointments

The team behind the COVID-19 vaccination booking service shares how it developed an inclusive service that works for all users in a short time.

Take 5 Minutes - and Help Beat Meeting Fatigue

Adrian Chesson offers some simple tips on how taking just five minutes can create a little bit of space to give a big boost to your wellbeing.  I am proud to be part of a team here at the Office …

Message from Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to NHS staff

Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, offers his thanks and support to all those working in the NHS.

CDEI convenes expert group to advise on Online Safety Data Initiative project

The Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) takes the lead on this blog, talking us through its process for convening the Online Harms Expert Group: a multi-disciplinary group of academics, civil society, technologists and regulators who are providing advice and challenge to the Online Safety Data Initiative (OSDI).

Interim Office for Environmental Protection launches

Today we look at coverage of the launch of the Interim Office for Environmental Protection.

Cancer Research UK’s role in supporting health professionals on informed choice in NHS screening

In this guest blog, CRUK explains how health professionals have an important role to play in supporting people to make an informed choice to access cancer screening.

Using applications to help us collect data on wild animals

In this blog Graham Smith, Lead Scientist for Wildlife, describes how APHA has been involved in developing new technology to help experts and the general public monitor mammal populations across Europe, and how you could get involved to build the database of wildlife records.

If a pupil tests positive, does their whole class or year group or other bubble then have to isolate as well?

It will not always be the case that the whole year group or bubble has to isolate if a pupil in that bubble tests positive for COVID-19. Our guidance is clear that schools should be identifying close contacts of positive …

Taking decisive action on illegal vehicle breakers

Delphine Dauba-Pantanacce, Director, Legal Counsel, Global Regulatory at eBay, discusses the work the online marketplace is doing with the Environment Agency to educate sellers of used vehicle parts.   Now more than ever, customers are looking for affordable but environmentally conscious …

Meet the UK NSC: Bob Steele, chair

In the first in a series of profiles of UK NSC members, we hear from the chair, Professor Bob Steele.

Developing accessible services: ‘It’s a team sport’

Find out how the Accessibility and Digital Inclusion team work closely with colleagues including software engineers to ensure our services can be accessed by all.

DVLA develops new fast online tachograph service for drivers

Lorry and bus drivers can now apply for a tachograph card using DVLA’s new online service. Dudley Ashford, Evolve Programme Manager, takes us behind the scenes on the development of this service.

In conversation with: The Insolvency Service

Jane Walters from Companies House and Neil Freebury from The Insolvency Service discuss efforts to tackle fraud and criminal activity in the UK business sector.

Comments on the Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform (TIGRR) report

RPC Chair Stephen Gibson comments on the Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform (TIGRR) report.

Care leavers – please give us your views!

Dr Donna Brown, Head of Research, on our care leavers survey and forthcoming research project.

Automating for the people

Dave More from Defra’s Digital Robotics Automation Centre of Excellence (DRACoE) shares his reflections on a year which has seen his team turn a fledgling robotics capability from concept to reality.

Collaborating in government: what an Alpha means in practice

Teams from CDDO and UKEF have been building capability and meeting government standards as they go. In this post they talk about how they did this in practice.

NIPT rolls out to all areas of England as part of the existing NHS screening pathway for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome

All maternity providers across England are now offering non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as part of the existing NHS screening pathway for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome.

The path to better customer service starts with listening, understanding and acting on feedback

Dan Cawdron, Customer Insights Lead, presents the results of the recent Institute of Customer Service business benchmarking, and looks at what the results mean for the organisation, the action we are going to take and what’s next.

The night sky in July

  Even though the shorter nights prevail for the next couple of months, the summer months are a great opportunity to see many of the most exciting astronomical sights. Noctilucent clouds, the core of our Milky Way galaxy, the summer …

Fitzrovia Noir CIC - broadening access to the arts

Read our latest blog to find out how Fitzrovia Noir CIC are engaging communities and broadening access to the arts in neglected neighbourhoods across London and North East England.

Unlocking learning recovery through professional development

There are no shortcuts to accelerate learning recovery for eight million young people. Having an expert teacher in every classroom, well trained and continually improving, led effectively from the top is the best way to make sure that every pupil gets a great education. Which is why the National Professional Qualifications represent an exciting opportunity for teachers and leaders.

Environment Secretary shared more detail on Agricultural Transition Plan

There has been national and trade coverage in titles such as The Sun, Farming Today, Horticulture Week and Farmers Weekly following the Secretary of State’s speech at Cereals arable industry conference yesterday.

We're hiring a Director of Technology

We need a Director of Technology to be part of our team – a new Senior Civil Service role centred on technology, using it to deliver, operate and transform. Emma Stace explains what this entails, the types of skills needed and what's in it for applicants.

Care Home Open Week: a chance to share happiness

COVID-19 has led to many changes in the way residential care is provided and the way care colleagues work together. One thing that hasn’t changed is the sense of family and community within Priscilla Wakefield House, a teaching care home in Haringey, north London.

Despite the outside world being turned up-side-down, care staff have succeeded in keeping a sense of normality, and making sure residents continue to enjoy laughter and fun.

Moving forward as one: creating a unified digital function

As BPDTS and DWP Digital come together to create a unified digital function, our CDIO Simon McKinnon has shared his thoughts on why this is the right time for us to move forward as one.

Join our next Junior Leaders Networking Event - The Power of Mentoring

Join our latest Junior Leaders Networking Event on 20 July to learn about the power of mentoring. JLNE is aimed at colleagues in the AO to EO grades from across government departments. It operates across the East, South East and London.

Gavin Williamson: Restrictions in schools - including bubbles - to be removed "as quickly as possible"

Today Education Secretary Gavin Williamson set out his plans to reduce the amount of time pupils spend isolating away from school. He said he wants to see the removal of all restrictions in schools - including bubbles - as soon …

Environmental Audit Committee - Biodiversity Report

Today's blog looks at media coverage of a report by the Environmental Audit Committee on biodiversity and ecosystems.

Why we’re looking forward to Hack2Work

DWP Digital’s fifth hack is taking place from 6 – 8 July. Here, 2 DWP colleagues share why they’re looking forward to taking part in Hack2Work.

The early years sector – a changing picture

Yvette Stanley, our National Director for Regulation and Social Care, and Jason Bradbury, Deputy Director, Data and Insight, discuss our latest early years and childcare statistics.

Podcast: The vision for GOV.UK and the roadmap to get there

Rachel Tsang and Ross Ferguson discuss how the GOV.UK roadmap will contribute to GDS’s mission of building a simple, joined-up and personalised experience of government for everyone.

Getting the most out of summer schools

"This is a great opportunity for our new year 7 students to make friends, meet staff and find their way around the building."

Associate Principal Vicky Pinkney shares how her school will make the most of their exciting summer school plans to support pupils’ transition into secondary school.

Connection, creativity and fun: let’s get ready for our summer school!

I was really excited when I heard about the idea of summer schools, as I knew how much it would support pupils with the transition to secondary school. I hope this opportunity gives us a chance to give them a bit of optimism and excitement for the future!

IP-protected, gender-inclusive underwear? That’s Wilde!

Dundee-based designer, Deborah, creates bespoke pants for everyone from your youngest cousin to your grandad, selling clothes from sizes XXS to 6XL. Her business, Wilde Mode, creates underwear and accessories for everyone, ensuring her products are sustainable, sensory-friendly, vegan and cruelty-free as well as gender and size inclusive. She protects her designs from copycat products using intellectual property rights. 

We spoke to Deborah about how she’s championing inclusivity and why it’s so important to her as a business owner.

Friendships matter

Andrew Reece, head of the integrated learning disability service for Camden Council, has always struggled with how the social care sector measures ‘what good looks like’, particularly in the context of supporting people with learning disabilities to make and sustain friendships. In this blog for DHSC's Social Care site, he proposes an alternative approach to help everyone get it right.

Weighing the evidence – a new framework for assessing external evidence

Professor Peter Gregory explains the FSA’s new scientific framework for assessing third party evidence and how it will be used.

The case for independent scrutiny of impact assessments earlier in the decision-making process

RPC Chair Stephen Gibson discusses the case for independent scrutiny of impact assessments earlier in the decision-making process.