GOV.UK blogs

Strengthening Marine Science and Sustainability: The Ocean Country Partnership Programme in Maldives

In October, the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) team from Cefas visited the Maldives to enhance local expertise in the collection of data from fishers, water quality monitoring and OSPAR methods of beach monitoring. The visit began with adverse weather …

Continuing to drive responsible adoption of technology

Since its establishment as the Centre for Data Ethics & Innovation in 2018, the Responsible Technology Adoption (RTA) Unit has provided a hub driving government’s work on responsible use of technology across both the public sector, and the broader economy, …

Introducing DfE Connect: bringing key information for schools into one place

In our latest blog post, Charlotte Dowd, Policy advisor and sector engagement lead, introduces us to DfE Connect. What is DfE Connect?DfE Connect is a free service from the Department for Education designed to make life easier for school business …

Navigating Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier funding for effective woodland management

Becky Hawkey, the Forestry Commission’s Environmental Land Management Team Manager, outlines the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier offer and how different funding actions within the grant stack together to help bring woodland into effective management.

Reflecting on a landmark year for Companies House 

Louise Smyth CBE looks back on a transformative year for Companies House, and sets out what's ahead for 2025.

Everything we are doing in education to tackle climate change

 Our Climate and Sustainability Strategy is preparing schools for the climate issues we face, encouraging positive environmental behaviours and creating a better environment for children’s futures.   We want every setting, from early years to higher education, to join us in …

Funding Service: how a glossary helps us speak the same language

Read about the work content designers in the Funding Service are doing to improve their grants glossary in order to ensure consistency and meet diverse user needs. Find out more about how they’re adding and refining definitions, collaborating across teams, testing updates to improve user experience and how you can get involved.

A better digital identity and attribute services register is coming soon 

We think digital identity services are a great way to prove who you are. We know that government is in a unique position to help people find services they can trust.  My role – as the product manager for the …

Watch: Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier webinar

Earlier this month, we hosted a webinar for farmers and land managers in England to learn more about Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) and the pre-application process. In this post, you’ll find a recording of the webinar and a summary of the information in the session, reflecting the questions put to the team. 

We Are Strategic Command: Sharon Brookes

Interviewer: Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your background? Sharon: My name’s Sharon Brookes, and I’m the Senior Civil Servant (SCS) 1* Director of the Defence College for Military Capability Integration (DCMCI), part of Defence Academy. I’m …

Ocean Country Partnership Programme in Maldives - Pollution update and the Fifth Maldives Marine Science Symposium

In July the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) team from Cefas visited Maldives to attend the Fifth Maldives Marine Science Symposium and to progress work with various OCPP partners. Aerial view of Maldives islands The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) …

Newly recognised Official Statistic tracks the environmental impact of our consumption

Nearly all the food we eat, clothes we wear, and cosmetics we use contain commodities grown in fields and forests around the world.

The environmental impact of our consumption habits is becoming more widely understood. To understand this, in this post, JNNC Evidence Specialist Ethan Workman discusses the Global Environmental Impacts of Consumption (GEIC) Indicator which is gathering key insights on this.

Into the woods: the value of amenity woodlands

Join us for this month’s ‘Into the woods’ blog by Helen Townsend, the Forestry Commission’s Head of People, Landscape and Historic Environment. To mark Take a Walk Outdoors Day, she shares the value from having access to nature.

Why we’re supporting the Government Digital Sustainability Alliance

Gerry Hackett and Ewen Anderson tell us why they have each volunteered to chair one of our Government Digital Sustainability Alliance (GDSA) working groups, sharing their personal career journeys to this point, and their ideas for where they see some …

Defra's Bass Management Group: a new era for England's bass fishery

Defra’s collaborative Bass Management Group has met for the first time to discuss and progress the future management of the bass fishery in England.

The Ouse Washes – a vital flood defence system in East Anglia

My name is Rupert Wilson and I am the Field Team Leader in the Ouse Washes Field Team in East Anglia. Our team plays a crucial role in the Management of the Ouse Washes Flood Storage Reservoir. The Ouse Washes …

Media factsheet: EU Settlement Scheme

This factsheet was updated on 17 January 2025 The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) enables EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens resident in the UK by the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, and their family members, to …

Low Pay Commission regional visits 2025

Make your views heard on the future of the minimum wage The Low Pay Commission (LPC) is the independent body which advises the Government on the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW). Commissioners are drawn from …

Behind Government Digital and Data: meet the people driving a modern digital government

In this blog we shine a spotlight on some of the remarkable individuals who are harnessing technology and data to make government work better for everyone.

New screening masterclass dates announced

The UK NSC has announced 2 new dates for its popular screening masterclass, one in May and one in July.

Dragons’ Den IP Blog- Series 22 Episode 2

From mystery football shirts on your doorstep to Italian pizza in pubs, the second episode of series 22 was full to the brim with keen entrepreneurs ready to pitch their business to the Dragons.

Inaccurate reporting of grant funding based on council tax levels

There has been inaccurate reporting in The Telegraph, The Telegraph and I news that the government plans to redistribute grant funding to benefit areas with higher council tax levels. This is not true.  These proposals will not see grant funding …

From hive to honey: UK expertise supporting beekeepers in Ghana 

In August 2024, our National Bee Unit invited participants from Ghana for a week-long intensive training on honeybee health, husbandry and honey production in the UK.

The UK-Ukraine school partnerships programme: How can I get involved?

Schools across the UK and Ukraine are coming together in an exciting new partnership focused on sharing stories and promoting reading for pleasure. The programme, part of the 100-Year Partnership between the two countries, aims to create connections between school …

Coverage following the import ban of cattle, pigs and sheep from Germany following Foot and Mouth case

There has been widespread media coverage following the announcement that we have introduced an import ban of cattle, pigs and sheep from Germany to protect farmers after a Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) case was detected in Germany. The commercial …

UK NSC meeting welcomes findings of review into effectiveness of AAA screening in the UK

Minutes published of UK NSC meeting held on 21 November 2024.

Our tenth NDA group supply chain event

On 16 January 2025, the NDA will be hosting its tenth supply chain event, which is recognised as the largest supply chain event in Europe. This event is being hosted in Telford. To mark its decennial, Emma Ferguson-Gould, NDA Group …

I don’t worry about AI taking my job – just my cat

Michaela, Data Scientist, talks about how she has navigated a new career in government, using AI and programming to solve complex problems, and found her passion in data science. She also explores the vibrant culture and impactful work of the MHCLG Data Unit.

Prison, fines and disqualification for these waste criminals

We are delighted with the court sentencing of three men found guilty of illegally dumping more than 26,000 tonnes of waste – the equivalent weight of around 2,170 double-decker buses - at 17 sites across the country.  They are estimated …

Celebrating Diversity: award-nominated Black History Month initiatives led by a trainee probation officer and case administrators  

We sat down with three Probation Service team members: trainee probation officer Chenaii, and case administrators Mai and Erin, to discuss their experiences working for HM Prison and Probation Service and their contributions to the celebration of Black History Month …

Ignite Space 2025 is set to launch UK businesses into the space sector

Ignite Space returns for its fourth year to fuel the next wave of collaboration and innovation in the UK space industry.

Navigating the future of pensions administration

Here we explore the trends in pensions administration as we enter 2025. The industry faces transformations driven by evolving regulations, tech advancements, and workforce changes. Our insights reveal complexities and opportunities, equipping you with strategies to navigate this dynamic landscape.

Nature and farming friendly solutions drive agricultural transformation in the Peak District

In this post, Catchment Sensitive Farming Adviser Ben Rodgers shares an example of nature and farming-friendly solutions driving agricultural transformation in the Peak District.

Secondment opportunities for competition and consumer lawyers

We are launching a new round of secondment opportunities for lawyers, to start on 7 April 2025. Since its launch in June 2018, almost 60 secondees from over 20 law firms have taken part in the programme and we are now …

Solving problems, sharing knowledge: Defra's content community resources

Ayesha Tinsley explains how her team improved the content community's resources board, in the last in our series on Defra content community projects.

The Scottish Government's FMPs: update on timelines and engagement

The Marine Directorate of the Scottish Government has provided an update on the 21 FMPs they are leading on. Find out more and how to get involved in this blog post.

5 tips for Environmental Land Management in-field agroforestry applications

Agroforestry Advisor James Ramskir-Gardiner shares tips for getting the most from your Environmental Land Management (ELM) In-Field Agroforestry application.

Accessibility audit of the Met Office app: outcomes and learnings

We explore how the Met Office responded to an accessibility report. We also trialled tandem testing and highlighted the lessons we learnt in understanding mobile apps.

Life on the Range

I am the Training Safety Marshal for East Anglia Training Areas which includes Barton Road Rifle Range. Barton Road Rifle Range is about 1,200 yards long and one of only three bracketed ranges in the UK, meaning that there are several …

Forests beneath the waves: celebrating our magnificent kelp 

Marina Rees, Marine Higher Officer at Natural England When I joined the Thames Solent team as a marine lead adviser, I jumped at the opportunity to work on a project which delved into the world of kelp. I have long …