GOV.UK blogs

How the Environment Agency is assessing new nuclear power station designs

As the UK government takes forward its plans for a low carbon future, the regulators of the nuclear industry, the Environment Agency, Office for Nuclear Regulation and Natural Resources Wales are currently assessing three new nuclear reactor designs. Teams of …

National Apprenticeship Week 2025: A world of numbers in Group Finance

Starting my apprenticeship in Group Finance at 16 years old was a unique experience - especially as I found myself among colleagues who were much older and more experienced. While my friends were heading off to university, I was diving …

Three churrs for the heathland bird survey

By Alison Giacomelli, Senior Specialist – Ornithology, Natural England Heathlands are home to the eerie sound of churring Nightjars, sweet melody of singing Woodlarks and the rattling song of Dartford Warblers. This year teams of volunteers and fieldworkers will be …

Coverage on Tackling Islamophobia

There has been media coverage today following a report in the Telegraph speculating on the government’s approach to tackling anti-Muslim hatred. The government is firmly committed to tackling all forms of hatred and division, including the unacceptable rise in anti-Muslim …

National Apprenticeship Week 2025: My apprenticeship journey  

Daniel Charles Smith – Assistant Scientist    After a ten-year career in the aviation industry, I decided that it was time to follow my passion in science. Aside from wanting to do something that made an impact, I didn’t have specific …

Guest blog: Showcasing successful onsite Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) project management

In the run up to the first anniversary (12 February) of the introduction of BNG as a mandatory approach to development, making BNG a statutory requirement in all (non-exempt) Town and Country Planning Act applications we invited two open space …

What it’s like to be a user researcher at MHCLG Digital

User researcher James joined MHCLG Digital just over a year ago, following a few years in the private sector. He shares his journey on the Homes for Ukraine programme, and how user research and starting with the needs of the users is shaping MHCLG products and services, creating a real impact for citizens, and more broadly transforming policy and service design.

10 digital accessibility mistakes to avoid

A list of common mistakes and simple fixes when designing and developing accessible websites and apps.

How we’re combating fraud and error within the MOT

As part of our ongoing strategy to combat fraudulent MOTs and improve testing accuracy, we are trailing a new feature that captures vehicle images during the test.

Science and FMPs event: progress made and exploring the future

Defra is hosting a hybrid event on 18 March to explore the role of science, research and collaboration for FMPs. Register your place to get involved.

The importance of diversity when developing high quality advice

I joined the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) in January 2025 and it is an extremely rewarding role. We get involved in many aspects of the welfare system, not just scrutinising secondary legislation but receiving updates on various aspects of …

Update on Environment Agency investigation

Work continues on our largest ever criminal investigation, to date, into potential breaches of environmental permit conditions by all water and sewerage companies discharging into English waters.   The extent of potential non-compliance involves more than 2,200 wastewater treatment works. To …

Green Infrastructure: the catalyst for Urban Greening 

It’s two years since Natural England launched the Green Infrastructure (GI) Framework to support the creation of good quality Green Infrastructure. It’s well documented that we need to build a more sustainable future, and at the forefront of this movement …

A year on since the XL Bully ban

This week marks a year since the ban on XL Bullies came into effect, making it illegal to own an XL Bully in England and Wales unless it has been registered and complies with strict rules, including being neutered and …

'LUF-t off' for a more strategic approach to growth and Nature

By Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England As the country seeks long-term solutions to our most pressing problems – how to build much-needed homes and infrastructure, safeguard food production and halt and reverse the decline of Nature – we …

Rolling out simpler ways to navigate GOV.UK’s topic pages

We’ve made improvements to GOV.UK’s topic pages. Here’s what we’ve done and the positive impact it’s making for users.

NHSBSA/NHSE - NHS Volunteering -Alpha assessment

Read the alpha assessment report for the NHS volunteering from NHSBSA/NHSE.

How I became a Trainee Software Engineer in just 4 steps!

One of our digital advocates, Kloe Chaplin, shares her journey to becoming a Trainee Software Engineer at DVLA.

How APHA is protecting online plant buyers

An increase in online plant sales has brought an increased threat of plant pests and diseases. Dan Munro, Senior Technical Manager for Plant Passporting at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), explains what APHA, as part of the United Kingdom (UK) Plant Health Service, is doing to reduce these risks.

Targeted Lung Health Check Programme renamed the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme

From 1 February 2025, the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) Programme will be known as the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme.

Introducing the deposit return scheme for drinks containers

This week, the 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. 

Read our post to find out more.

Is your woodland a home for hedgehogs?

Alan Reid is our Nature Recovery Advisor in the West Midlands. Here he explores why woodlands are such excellent habitats for these enigmatic creatures, and how woodland owners and managers might help them.

Developing FMPs: share your views on wrasses and seabream

An update from the Marine Management Organisation on the development of the wrasses complex and seabream FMPs and an upcoming online opportunity to have your say.

Have you ever wondered how impartial and informed advice makes for better law?

The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) is an independent statutory body which provides exactly that when it comes to social security and related matters under the remit of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Department for …

Get the write stuff to boost your career

Government Skills learning expert Jonathan Marshall explains how his ‘JASPER’ course can help civil servants elevate their writing skills. Writing well is one of the stand-out skills civil servants need to thrive in their jobs and progress in their careers. …

Get involved with Services Week 2025 

Services Week is back 17 March to 21 March 2025 and the theme for 2025 is people-centred services. Designing effective public services starts with innovation, a strong understanding of what people need from services, and close collaboration between different teams …

DBT Data Challenge drives innovation

Department of Business and Trade’s (DBT) Chief Data Officer Sian Thomas reflects on how a Data Challenge showcased the power of automation, big data analytics and the benefits of collaboration between Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) and core teams

Best Practice: working together for success

Strengthening Coastal Planning: Our Engagement with Local Planning Authorities in the South West Effective planning at the interface of marine and terrestrial environments requires collaboration and clear communication between decision-makers. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) works with local planning teams …

2021 to 2022 data from England underlines huge impact of national NHS screening programmes

The importance of the NHS screening programmes to the public’s health is underlined in a high level summary of data from the NHS Screening Programmes in England for the screening year 2021 to 2022.

Saving species in Somerset; the work of the Somerset, Coast Levels and Moors Nature Recovery Project

By Simon Phelps – Natural England Over the past three years, the Somerset Coast, Levels and Moors Nature Recovery Project has been working hard to save some of our most threatened wetland species. I’m fortunate to not only be leading …

Strengthening Fisheries Compliance: OCPP’s Training Mission in Madagascar

Author: Amy Anderson (MMO) In October, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO)’s Global Marine Team undertook a deployment to Madagascar under the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP). The Ocean Country Partnership Programme is a bilateral technical assistance and capacity building programme …

Natural England welcomes £22.1bn investment in Water Industry National Environment Programme

The Environment Agency has published the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP), detailing more than 20,000 actions that England’s 19 water companies must complete from now until 2030 to meet their environmental obligations.  Developed with guidance from the Environment Agency …

Norfolk County Council’s experience with the Cyber Assessment Framework for local government

In this video case study, Norfolk County Council share their experience of the CAF for local government, including how it’s helped them to take a broader view of their cyber resilience.

Early years qualification checking service: Protecting a public service

Robert Gammon is the Technical Architect on the Early years qualification checking service, currently in the private beta stage of development. Protecting a public service: how and why  When developing a new digital public service, you might wonder why it …

UK boosts planetary defence capability with IAWN membership 

Planetary defence is a key part of space sustainability and protection. In this article Edward Baker, Planetary Defence Lead at the UK Space Agency, explains its importance and the UK’s role in global efforts to protect Earth.

Competition that drives growth and investment - reflections on joining the CMA

The government has set out economic growth as its top priority and has done so for good and sound reasons. Without growth, there is no money to support the rebuilding of our vital public services and no prosperity for hardworking …

Holocaust Memorial Day

Monday 27 January marked Holocaust Memorial Day, with this year also commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau making it a particularly pertinent event this year. The Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, attended a series of events to …

Inaccurate Council Tax rise reporting

There has been media reporting in The Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph suggesting that councils will be able to raise their council tax above the threshold of 3%, with 2% for the adult social care precept. This is inaccurate …

World Cancer Day: our journeys are unique, but we thrive when united

This year the Civil Service Working Through Cancer Network will show support for World Cancer Day on 4 February by focusing our events on the unique human story behind every cancer diagnosis, and how by uniting we are stronger and …

Making it easy to find trustworthy digital identity and attribute services

You shouldn’t have to be an expert in trust frameworks and certification to be able to identify a trustworthy digital identity service. And we’re doing two things to mean you don’t have to be.