6989posts
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New ‘GRID’ data tool to build a more inclusive Civil Service
This month, Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case and Chief Operating Officer, Alex Chisholm launched A Modern Civil Service. In our series to celebrate the vision, Government Business Services showcases a data analyser to improve recruitment and find the cream of candidates. …
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British IP Day: spotlight on innovation and IP
The Alliance for Intellectual Property (AIP) is a coalition of organisations representing creators and intellectual property (IP) rich businesses. AIP organises an annual British IP Day. Dan Guthrie, Director General of the AIP, tells us more about how the organisation …
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How farmers are helping us to design the first of our environmental land management schemes
In this blog post, I’ll share how we have worked with the farming community to develop the standards for the Sustainable Farming Incentive from 2021.
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Proud to be an ally
Hi, I’m Sandeepka and I'm committed to playing my part in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves. This includes my colleagues from the wider lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community. Inclusion doesn’t just happen by …
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DVLA working with local authorities and police services to take action on unlicensed vehicles
We’ve been working with local authorities and police services to support their enforcement action on untaxed vehicles on the road in their local area. Elaine Rees, National Enforcement Manager, tells us more.
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What you need to know about behaviour and discipline in schools
We’re asking teachers, parents and other school staff for their views and ideas on managing good behaviour in schools and colleges.
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Lay members wanted for antenatal and newborn screening programmes research advisory committee
The research advisory committee (RAC) reviews applications to carry out research involving NHS screening programme participants or requiring access to screening data or samples.
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South West and Wales Men’s Network – Ready for launch
The South West and Wales Men’s Network will be launched on 14 July to celebrate men’s positive contributions to society, not only as civil servants but as fathers, sons, uncles and friends. We would really like you to get involved.
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Beyond the numbers – how our Service Centres are making a real difference
A blog from Zoe Blake, Delivery Director at HMCTS, about how Courts and Tribunals Service Centres are making a real difference to those seeking access to justice.
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A safe place to be yourself
Although anyone can experience mental health issues, those of us who identify as LGBTQ+ are more likely to develop problems including low self-esteem, depression and anxiety. As this month marks Pride Month, Andrew Seed, Integrative Psychotherapist at Cygnet Hospital Ealing, reflects on how creating a safe space for service users and staff is vital to celebrate their gender and sexual identity.
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Innovating to tackle reoffending
Reducing reoffending is the key to cutting crime. But what role can innovation play in tackling this issue? The Prison Leavers Project on how it’s trying new approaches. At the Ministry of Justice, we’re committed to cutting crime and the …
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Scientific input from APHA in key Defra publication
On the 22 June Defra published the refreshed Defra Group Research and Innovation Interests document with input from APHA and other Defra Group Public Sector Research Establishments. Learn more about this key document and APHA’s involvement.
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Natural England licensing statistics for 2020
As explained in my blog in January 2020, Natural England remains committed to making our wildlife licensing statistics publicly available. We published our 2018 and 2019 stats last year. We get a lot of correspondence and public reaction around our …
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Am I proud of LGBTQ+ Pride? My personal thoughts on Pride month
To mark Pride month, content designer Paul Graham shares a personal blog with his thoughts on the annual recognition and celebration of LGBT+ communities.
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How we reduced errors on GOV.UK
All websites run into errors. We’ve reduced our errors by over 90% and changed our culture around errors so they are identified, owned and resolved quickly.
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Discover opportunities within the Counter Fraud Profession
Discover opportunities for civil servants within the Counter Fraud profession by attending our 2 day live online event on 13 and 14 July.
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A decade of progress for the Government Sustainable ICT Project
Defra Chief Digital and Information Officer Chris Howes reflects on the results from the 2020 Sustainable ICT Annual Report and shares his thoughts on where ICT can play its part in addressing the climate crisis.
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Celebrate the first International Neonatal Screening Day today, 28 June 2021
Professional and patient organisations and health systems around the world are celebrating International Neonatal Screening Day for this first time today.
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Nominate a project for the Sanctuary Awards!
Nominations for the MOD Sanctuary Awards close on 31 July and we’re looking for entries in the Net Zero and Resource Efficiency Award as well as the Sustainable Procurement and Construction Award.
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Strengthening space ties between the UK and Japan
Today, the UK Space Agency signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), taking a new step in space cooperation between the UK and Japan. Dr Graham Turnock (CEO of the UK Space Agency) and President …
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Covid-19 vaccines - Frequently asked questions
Covid-19 vaccines - Frequently asked questions - Updated Frequently asked questions answered by Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam Professor Jonathan Van-Tam (‘JVT’) was appointed Deputy Chief Medical Officer in October 2017. He leads on health protection. What …
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“Byte-ing Back Better” - Introducing a Q-FAIR approach to Geospatial Data Improvement
Callum Irving, Senior Data and Standards Advisor, shares the Geospatial Commission’s ambitions to improve access to better location data by making it Q-FAIR - Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable and of the right Quality that is fit for purpose. Building on …
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Giving assurances
If you’ve not come across DHSC's Regional Assurance team, its members act as two-way information sharers between the Department and local areas.
They use their experience of the adult social care sector to provide informed assessments to the Department and the Minister for Social Care. They also provide opportunities for the sector to influence and inform DHSC about the way current policies are working in the regions.
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Introducing the service design playbook
The service design playbook is a resource to help designers and digital teams navigate designing public services. The goal of the service design playbook is to help designers that are new to service design in government understand how to apply …
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Breastfeeding Celebration Week – supporting mothers who breastfeed
This week is Breastfeeding Celebration Week, and this year we’re focusing on how partners and the wider family can support new mothers to breastfeed.
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Dragons’ Den Episode 12, Series 18
This week we saw some fiercely passionate entrepreneurs fighting for their businesses despite some tough questioning from the Dragons. From recyclable shoes to a finalist in MasterChef: The Professionals, I was on the edge of my seat...but who managed to secure an investment?
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What do PTAs do and why should you join one? PTA members answer your questions
This week is Parentkind’s National PTA Week. To mark the week we put your questions to the chair and secretary of a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) from a school in Gloucestershire to find out more about what they do, why …
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What does an engineering mindset bring to policy making?
The Engineering in Policy network asked this question to engineers and those with an interest in engineering. We hoped that we could prompt a conversation about the importance of having engineers in the room at key points in the policy …
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Coverage of Defra and Natural England’s announcement on protected landscapes
In today’s blog, we look at the coverage for our ambitious proposals to create and improve protected landscapes across England.
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Building for the future at HMCTS
Since returning to the Ministry of Justice as Permanent Secretary earlier this year, I have been struck by the great progress HMCTS has made, both in both keeping justice moving throughout the past year, and also on its reform journey this past decade.
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Transforming Accommodation Services for our Armed Forces families
David Brewer’s recent blog set out DIO’s new approach – through the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) programme - to delivering efficient and effective hard facilities management services across the Built Estate, as existing contracts come to an end. That journey …
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Opportunities expand for teaching partnerships
Teaching partnerships, to improve placement opportunities and the quality of learning and development students experience on placement, have been a great success. So much so, government funding, channeled through the Department of Education and the Department for Health and Social Care, is now being expanded.
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We’re hiring interaction and service designers!
In Cabinet Office, we are looking for designers to join us and work on services that matter and are genuinely user-centred.
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How we drive uptake of DIT's products with our users
Hear from the publishers behind Digital Trade on their top tips for DDaT professionals
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Knowledge Assets Launch Event
The Knowledge Assets team recently held a digital launch event to introduce their ambitious programme of work to a cross-Whitehall audience. We welcomed a host of expert speakers, including: Minister Solloway, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation Dr Andrew Mackintosh, …
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Trainee teachers have really gone above and beyond this year
From supporting the teaching of classes or bubbles to delivering remote education - this year’s trainee teachers have shown creativity, versatility and resilience. We asked trainees from Teach North/Outwood Institute of Education to tell us about some of their standout moments from the last year.
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Might oaks from little acorns grow…?
A year in the life of Bella Murfin and Naomi Matthiessen, job share Directors for the Nature for Climate Fund Tree Programme in Defra.
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Public service: A duty worth celebrating
Today, 23 June, is Public Service Day. To mark this important day, inspectors Menaka Sahai, Heidi Cruickshank and Richard Schofield share their thoughts on why they became an inspector and how the public service that they deliver is important for the nation.
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Plastic-Free July
Get involved with Plastic-Free July! Find out how to give your unwanted items another life or clean up your neighbourhood with a litter pick. Events organised by CSL NW Environment Network.
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Increasing our pace from the start
Our Early Engagement Team plays an important role in promoting the benefits of our Local Land Charges service and accelerating the number and pace of local authority migrations. Team leader Jamie Winch explains how they're building working relationships with councils across England and Wales.