GOV.UK blogs

Enhancing flood and coastal erosion risk digital services with the latest data and mapping

The Environment Agency is transforming its understanding of flood and coastal erosion risk in England.   Over the past four years, we’ve been working with local authorities to develop a new National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA) and a new National …

Kickstart your chartership journey: New year, new goals 

As we begin 2025, it's an ideal time to set new professional goals. Achieving chartership is one of the most rewarding and impactful goals you can pursue. This not only elevates your career but also enhances your skills, knowledge, and …

Uncertainty in climate analysis

As the effects of climate change become more obvious, there is a growing urgency to understand climate-related risks and how they might evolve. Here we look at the uncertainties associated with future climate change; from the emissions pathways we might take to how climate processes are modelled.

Introduction to the role of evidence in fisheries management plans

Fisheries management plans rely on a foundation of robust evidence. In this post we explore this along with our published evidence statements and their role in sustainable fisheries.

Coverage after Government pledges to clean up communities with deposit return scheme for plastic bottles and cans

Today we are looking at coverage after Government pledged to end the throwaway society and clean up Britain as it implements legislation for the deposit return scheme for drinks containers in England and Northern Ireland

Welcome to Government Digital and Data

We're excited to introduce you to 'Government Digital and Data' - the new name for our blog.

Same name, new ambitions

A new chapter begins. We unveil the name and vision for the new digital centre for government.

Achieving change in adult social care

January is always a good time to sort your ‘stuff’ out and before starting my new role, I took the opportunity to clear out my cupboard. It was interesting to see what I had kept over the years from the …

Coverage of pesticide emergency authorisation being denied to protect pollinators

Today we’re looking at coverage of the government’s announcement of the decision not to grant emergency authorisation for Cruiser SB, a neonicotinoid pesticide,

Public Accounts Committee report on homelessness

Today the Public Accounts Committee published a report on homelessness, with several recommendations to the government to build a cross-government strategy to tackle homelessness and invest in preventive measures. This was featured in PA media, Sky News, The Independent and …

Digital Planning Directory launches: a milestone moment for the UK’s planning sector  

Digital transformation has taken a major step forward with the launch of the Digital Planning Directory - a comprehensive platform bringing together state-of-the-art planning tools and services in one accessible location. The Directory, developed to address the pressing need for digital skills and resources in local planning authorities, will help both public and private sector professionals make informed decisions about digital planning solutions.

Commissioner Robin Simcox visits Southport

In July 2024, our nation was shattered by the murder of three children in Southport. The perpetrator, Axel Rudakubana, had attempted to kill even more. This week, Rudakubana pleaded guilty to all charges facing him.   The impact that terrible day …

Sign up for UK NSC online seminar on multi-cancer detection tests

The UK NSC is holding an online seminar on 27 February, focusing on multi-cancer tests. Sign up now.

Dragons' Den IP Blog - Series 22 Episode 3

A reseller with an inspirational refugee story and a bathroom with backbone – these were the pitches that caught our IP eye in this week’s Dragons’ Den episode. Read on to find out more!

Focus On: jHub

Established in 2017, jHub is Strategic Command’s central innovation hub, dedicated to accelerating the adoption of new technology within Defence. By providing frontline users with cutting-edge technology and processes, jHub delivers battle-winning capabilities in the shortest possible time. jHub achieves …

Partnership sees experimental 'Disco Scallop' method develop into full-scale, commercial low-impact fishery

By Mark Duffy, Marine Principal Adviser, Natural England Over the past three years Natural England has supported and invested in the “Potting for Scallops” initiative to help sustainable fishing of the mollusc and protect seabeds. The technique in the initiative …

Do schools close because of bad weather? Everything parents need to know

Schools will make every effort to stay open in adverse weather conditions, however, the safety of pupils and teachers is a top priority. Here's everything you need to know.

Your feedback on the gamma (0.4) trust framework

In November, we pre-released the gamma (0.4) publication of the trust framework. We also highlighted that we would be seeking feedback on this latest publication to inform our ongoing work. This post kicks off that engagement cycle, explaining how we …

How we delivered more than 1,500 digital export journeys

Liam Bancroft, a Product Owner in the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) Borders and Trade team, shares his insights into the work he has been leading to develop a digital service for those seeking to export animals and animal …

How the TRA uses data

The TRA is an evidence- and data-led independent authority. The quality of data collected during a case will have a real impact on its outcome, as this information is the basis for the decisions made by the Secretary of State …

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.