GOV.UK blogs

Addressing the gaps in service delivery content

Our mission: Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) is redesigning the products and services we provide to other government departments to support the delivery of their services. This includes updating existing standards and guidance, so that more services are implemented …

Wet winters leading to more macroalgae in Solent, but nutrient reduction offers hope for the future

If you spend time on or around the water of the Solent’s harbours, you will likely have noticed high levels of bright green macroalgae, on the shore or in the water. Wet winters are causing an increase in green macroalgae …

Asking questions about screening inequalities

Survey results will hopefully help focus future screening inequalities research where it is needed most.

Reflections from two recently appointed RPC committee members

The two most recently appointed members of the RPC offer their initial impressions.

Game-changing life support system for Mars missions

The UK Space Agency backs breakthrough in life support technology, which could support long-duration missions and sustainable presence on the Moon and Mars.

Can we really build a windfarm in two years?

The MMO’s Strategic Renewables Unit (SRU) was established in 2021 to enhance MMO’s role in renewables deployment by supporting improvements to renewables rollout beyond individual cases. Recently, the assertion has been made that if it wasn’t for delays with consenting …

Inside the RPA: Gareth Jones

In a series from the Rural Payments Agency’s customer team, we’re featuring video interviews and blogs from some of the key people whose roles are focussed on delivering and improving the services provided to customers. In the third video and …

Adaptive funding: 8 ways to make funding effective in solving complex problems

As government programmes continue to tackle many complex challenges, there is an opportunity to evolve our delivery approaches to ensure they are optimally structured to deal with complexity. This post discusses the idea of ‘adaptive funding’, influenced by agile methodologies.

From Intern to Innovator: Alliyah's Inspiring Civil Service Journey

Alliyah fulfilled her aspiration to work in the public sector when she secured a place on the Civil Service Summer Diversity Internship Scheme. Since then, she has advanced quickly, becoming a permanent team member and continually expanding her skills and knowledge in her role. She reflects positively on her journey and values the experiences she has gained with the team.

Read her story.

Improving our trustee guidance on making decisions

Our Assistant Director of Policy, Sam Jackson, talks about the improvements made to our decision-making guidance for charity trustees.

Coverage of the introduction of the Water (Special Measures) Bill

Today we are looking at coverage following the introduction of major legislation to crack down on water bosses polluting Britain’s rivers, lakes and seas

Meet Dr Ted Hayden, Director of GO-Science

Recently, the GSE team had the opportunity to engage in a discussion with Dr Ted Hayden on his career journey and his current position as the Director of the Government Office for Science (GO-Science). GSE team: Hi Ted, thank you for …

2 million users and counting: DVLA’s Driver and vehicles account is growing!

Our Driver and vehicles account is continuing to evolve, creating an easier way for motorists to manage their driver and vehicle details in one place. Brian Sullivan, DVLA’s Chief Technology Officer, looks back at what has been achieved over the last year and provides an insight on what’s to come.

Launchpad Home is Live!

Building on our first digital prisoner-facing service The digital Launchpad Product Delivery team went live with the new prisoner-facing Launchpad Home and Launchpad Auth on in-cell prisoner laptops on 4 June 2024. Launchpad Home is the new home page and …

The Ipswich Tidal Flood Defence Barrier: After six years

In 2018, the Environment Agency commissioned the Ipswich Tidal Barrier, a critical infrastructure project costing nearly £70 million. Six years on, the Suffolk Asset Performance Team tell us what has happened since. The Ipswich Tidal Barrier consists of a 200-tonne …

Further reporting on Right to Buy

There has been widespread media reporting this week on the future of the Right to Buy scheme. We have no plans to abolish Right to Buy but instead we are reviewing the scheme more widely, which includes looking at eligibility …

Statement from the Deputy Prime Minister on the Grenfell Inquiry

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “Today is a day for the bereaved, the survivors, residents in the immediate community and a day for remembering the 72 innocent people who lost their lives. Children, families, friends and neighbours who died …

Navigating Civil Service online tests: what you need to know

Applying for a job in the Civil Service often involves taking psychometric tests.  Psychometric tests measure and assess your abilities and effectiveness in areas like verbal reasoning, judgement, decision making and preferences. These tests are designed to assess candidates fairly, …

A new Civil Service Careers site

The Civil Service is made up of 44 departments as well as 421 agencies and other public bodies. So it’s no surprise that, even for existing civil servants, finding the right career opportunities can take a lot of effort. Since …

How GOV.UK is supporting new ideas and helping the next generation of service designers

We’ve been working with students to envision what GOV.UK could look like in years to come, helping them to develop career skills and allowing us to explore innovative approaches. Find out how the project went.

Sellafield: Five facilities we have repurposed to support mission delivery

To help accelerate the Sellafield mission, here are 5 buildings we are repurposing. In doing so we ensure that we get maximum value from them, for our mission and for the taxpayer.

The night sky in September

September is an exciting month for UK stargazers!

Joining forces with Kent beekeepers in the fight against the yellow-legged hornet (Asian hornet)

Seasonal Bee Inspector Lisa Jenkins from APHA’s National Bee Unit (NBU) talks about working with a local Yellow-Legged (Asian) Hornet Team in Dover to track down a nest of this invasive predator.

New e-learning tool puts prevention first in social care

The social care workforce plays a hugely important role in public health. A new e-learning resource, will help care colleagues increase their knowledge and confidence in public health approaches across a variety of care settings.

Civil Service Data Challenge 2024 finalists selected

The four finalists for 2024’s Civil Service Data Challenge, the data competition designed to find a data-led solution to a technical or societal issue, are gearing up for the grand final, on 10 September, at 2.30pm, at Convene 133 Houndsditch.  …

Navigating Fisheries Science: Insights and emerging issues by fisheries scientists

In July 2023, The Fisheries Society of the British Isles (FSBI) 2023 Annual Symposium, co-convened by the University of Essex and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) aimed to discuss the latest fish biology and fisheries science, …

A parent’s guide to keeping kids healthy this school year

With kids getting back into the classroom, now is a good time for parents to familiarise themselves with some of the common illnesses that could disrupt children's studies or even cause more serious illness during the colder months. This blog …

A busy first year for UK NSC’s expert research guidance group

We take a look back at a successful and busy first year for the UK NSC research and methodology group.

Life as an MGS dog handler

Working within the Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS), colleagues and I play a key part in safeguarding national security. Our teams work around the clock to keep MOD sites safe and secure and enable those who work in them …

Celebrating a decade of success for the Digital and Data Fast Stream

To mark ten years of the digital and data fast stream; digital leaders, former & current fast streamers met to celebrate the past and look at future challenges.

Message to schools ahead of the start of term from the Secretary of State, Bridget Phillipson

This week many of you are returning to schools, colleges and early years settings across the country after a well-earned summer break. I'd like to personally welcome you back as we start the new term together. Fresh in your minds …

Setting the foundations for effective data use in local government

In this blog post, we share the insights behind our approach to scaling data standards and an update on how we are addressing the challenge of unconnected systems in councils.  Over 300 councils and sector organisations have committed to the …

Progress in second year of the hen harrier southern reintroduction

The hen harrier southern reintroduction aims to establish a wild, farmland nesting population of hen harriers in the south of England. Supported by a conservation breeding programme, the project plans to introduce up to 100 juvenile hen harriers to a protected …

Campaign Sites: Supporting our great global trade network

How we created a new publishing service from over a thousand microsites.

Share your expertise and join our Science Advisory Committees

We hear from current members of our Science Advisory Committees (SACs) to find out about their roles, and to hear about their experience of being a SAC member.

Tackling a system's accessibility without testing

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provides a helpful framework for identifying technical accessibility issues, but what happens when the same issues crop up time and again? How can you find the causes and change the culture of the team behind the system?

Government announces TB Eradication Strategy refresh to end the badger cull

The new strategy will use scientific evidence to help the Government to meet the goal to eradicate TB by 2038

Hundreds of thousands of parents can now access 15 hours funded childcare for 9-month-olds – how to apply

Hundreds of thousands of eligible working parents can now access 15 hours government-funded early education for children aged 9-months-old and older after new rules kicked in from 1 September 2024. Those who are eligible to take advantage of the scheme …

Removal of Ofsted single word judgements: what it means for schools and parents

Schools in England will no longer receive Ofsted single headline grades, also known as single word judgements, from today. This is the first step towards delivering a better accountability system which will see School Report Cards introduced from September 2025, which will …

Upskilling Senior Civil Servants with the Digital Excellence programme

Guest blog from Olga Winkle, Learning Delivery Manager, Central Digital & Data Office An online learning programme created specifically to upskill Senior Civil Servants with digital, data and technology skills. The Modern Civil Service agenda set out Digital and Data …