GOV.UK blogs

Very common tools: what we’ve learnt whilst improving SharePoint

The Common Tools as a Service team is responsible for building standardised, reliable and reusable tools and platforms for everyone in MHCLG. They help teams to be more efficient, deliver quickly and reduce operational costs. In this post, they share what they're doing to make SharePoint pages easier to navigate and more accessible. 

Driving business and investor insight across our work

We're expanding our capability in strategic business analysis. Find out how you can join us and be part of the future.

Joining up the dots: the findings of our recent API discovery

Joining up the dots - is about turbo-charging API connectivity across government to enable effective data sharing in a seamless, secure, legal and trusted manner.

Martyn's Law Factsheet

This factsheet was updated in April 2025.  The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn’s Law, received Royal Assent on Thursday 3 April 2025.   This Act delivers the Government’s manifesto commitment to strengthen the security of public premises …

Three reasons why England needs more conifer planting

Ian Tubby, Head of Policy and Advice at the Forestry Commission, discusses three key reasons why planting more conifer can have a positive impact on the environment, timber security, and the economy. 

The digital identity and attribute services register is now in public beta

The register of digital identity and attribute services is now in public beta. This means it’s easier for businesses and the public to check and find trusted digital identity products across the UK.    Faster and easier The new register …

The Final Countdown: Reflecting on the modernisation journey for courts and tribunals

The HMCTS Reform Programme was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform the way people access and engage with the justice system. In this episode, we reflect on its impacts, the challenges the programme faced along the way, and what the future holds for HMCTS.

Sustainability, innovation and recognition

Read about an inspiring journey unfolding at the Defence Academy, where the Climate Change and Sustainability Team led by Lucy Dale, has been making significant strides. Interviewer: Can you tell us about your current role and responsibilities at the Defence …

The value of social workers in healthcare

Sarah McClinton, The Chief Social Worker for Adults: I am delighted to present this blog from Mark Nicholas, Clinical Director, Social Care Lead and National Head of Profession for Social Care Informatics at NHS England. Mark provides invaluable insights into …

A talented, capable, and dedicated team member; someone who has truly become a valued asset!

World Autism Awareness Day (Wednesday 2nd April 2025) is dedicated to raising awareness about Autism and promoting acceptance, inclusion, and support for Autistic People. To celebrate World Autism Day and Autism Acceptance Month throughout April, this blog edition provides an …

A new way to buy energy for your school or trust

In this blog post, Bel Pennington, who leads the Energy for Schools pilot at DfE, tells us why changing the way schools and trusts buy energy could save money, and protect school budgets from the volatility of the energy market. …

School-based nurseries: Everything you need to know

Primary schools can now apply for the first phase of funding, with up to £150,000 of £15 million available to support up to 300 new or expanded nurseries to be open by September 2025. 

But what are school-based nurseries and who will benefit? Here’s everything you need to know.

Adding sustainability to the Government Design Principles

We’re adding a new design principle for sustainability. This will help teams take responsibility and ownership for the sustainability of services.

Welcoming the Corry Review — Nature recovery and sustainable growth through regulatory reform 

The Corry Review was set up by Defra Secretary of State Steve Reed, in October last year to examine whether the inherited regulatory landscape is fit for purpose and to develop recommendations to ensure that regulation across the Department is …

Creating interactive design documentation for GOV.UK One Login

At GOV.UK One Login, we've tackled a significant challenge: helping government teams understand our constantly evolving digital identity service.

Making a difference: What is it like be an EA Environment Officer?

Christopher Clayton joined the Environment Agency in January 2025 as an Environment Officer with one of the newly formed Water Industry Regulation teams in Lincolnshire. He shares an insight into his role and the reasons why he is so passionate …

Making work pay: inflation-beating minimum wage increases from 1 April

Over 3 million workers across the UK including 1 million in hospitality and retail will benefit from minimum pay increases from 1 April – a government intervention to make work pay by ensuring the cost of living is accounted for …

How we value properties for business rates: the receipts and expenditure method

In the second part of our series, we explain the receipts and expenditure method and how it is used to value properties like large hotels and self-catering holiday accommodation for business rates.

Your questions answered: Finding, searching and viewing lasting powers of attorney (LPA)

[English] - [Cymraeg] We receive thousands of calls and emails each week from people and organisations requesting to view or search for lasting powers of attorney (LPAs).  You might work for a bank, healthcare provider or local authority and need to …

All of us might need the justice system one day: what can you expect and how has HMCTS reform made things better?

The justice system can become a part of our lives when we least expect it, whether it’s for probate, money claims, or tribunal appeals. HMCTS reform have made these services more efficient and accessible, ensuring a smoother experience.

Regulatory Policy Committee says thank you and farewell to four existing members and welcomes four new appointees

The Regulatory Policy Committee welcomes four new members in April and says farewell and thank you to four current members.

AI in schools: What you need to know

Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. It’s already having a significant impact across the public sector -  from helping police identify criminals to improving cancer screening in the NHS.  

That’s why we are bringing the AI revolution to classroom – using it to modernise our education system, to back our teachers and deliver for our children.

A message from FSA Chair Susan Jebb

Cymraeg Our first FSA Board meeting of 2025 in Hull on Wednesday generated some excellent discussion and highlighted the different ways the FSA is working to keep consumers protected. We had an update on the Border Target Operating Model, marking a …

Public Launch of the Evaluation Registry

Today, the Evaluation Task Force – a joint Cabinet Office and HM Treasury team – has launched the Evaluation Registry, a new website on GOV.UK. The Registry brings together all planned, ongoing, and complete evaluations of government policy into one …

Local Land Charges – the journey so far

Rhonda Griffiths, Head of Programme Management and Policy, gives us an update on how the Local Land Charges Programme is delivering the most ambitious geospatial data transformation ever attempted by a UK government.

A standard to support fair and transparent nature markets

Nature markets allow individuals and businesses to pay for the benefits that nature provides, often supporting environmental conservation and restoration efforts. A new standard aims to bring clarity and confidence to nature markets.

Have your say on a new nature-based carbon standard consultation

Read this post to find out more about a new standard that aims to boost investment into nature and support economic growth.

Modernising Crime Services: Reflecting on Reform's Impact

As we conclude our Reform Programme, the Common Platform digital system has streamlined case processing, improving efficiency and transparency. While challenges remain, we've made significant progress toward a more effective and accessible justice system.

Growing the evidence base to recover England’s treasured peatland landscapes

England’s peatland landscapes are places of inspiration, adventure and beauty. From the sweeping moors of the Pennines to the ancient heaths and mires of the New Forest, these treasured landscapes are more than just amazing wild spaces to visit. They …

Travel health and the growing risk of antibiotic-resistant STIs like gonorrhoea

Recent data shows a concerning upward trend of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea infections, particularly in popular tourist destinations across the Asia-Pacific region. This includes countries such as Thailand, China, Cambodia and Vietnam. These infections are sometimes called ‘super-gonorrhoea’ in the media.

Final data analysis under way to inform SCID screening recommendation

Well over 1 million babies have now been screened for severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) since the September 2021 launch of an in-service evaluation (ISE) in NHS services.

Mountain hares in decline: New research reveals diminishing numbers in the Peak District 

By Dr Carlos Bedson The Peak District is home to England's only population of mountain hares, a remarkable Arctic species introduced here in the 1870s by sporting landowners. These cold-adapted mammals, with their distinctive seasonal white winter coats, have become …

When something goes wrong, it is often the case that 'someone knew'

The Committee on Standards in Public Life published its report, Recognising and Responding to Early Warning Signs in Public Sector Bodies, on 25 March 2025.

GDS’s user research on AI in government

Our user research into AI and generative AI across the public sector has helped us understand how colleagues view and interact with these technologies, including their aspirations, concerns and current usage patterns

How merging creative design and futures at Defra led to collaborative strategic insights

By Emma Mutch, Defra Introduction Defra, in collaboration with Andthen, shares insights into how it developed a new horizon scanning capability and emerging trends and global megatrends outputs. Unique approaches and methods were used in this work, notably a highly …

The vital role of Quality Assurance in pensions calculations

Robust quality assurance (QA) processes are a crucial tool for administrators to help mitigate calculation and administrative error. This blog explores what QA is, the benefits to schemes in undertaking QA activity and some strategies schemes could implement to improve QA in their schemes.

Uncorking innovation 

Wine, like everything else, has plenty of hidden intellectual property (IP). Today, we're diving into a key part of its IP and how it changed the game. It turns out that just like a good bottle, this invention has increased in value throughout time… 

What are the 2024 Storm Overflow EDM Annual Returns?

Today, we published water company Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) Annual Return data for 2024, which can also be viewed on a map via the Storm Overflow portal, showing the frequency and duration of spills from storm overflows in England. EDM tracks …

Wood ants mean healthy woodlands

Emily Robinson, Content Officer at Forestry Commission, shares how wood ants act as a keystone species in promoting a healthy woodland ecosystem.

Exploring AI in Healthcare: Insights from the AI Airlock Pilot

The AI Airlock is a pilot programme designed to help test and improve the rules for AI-powered medical devices to ensure they reach patients quickly, safely and effectively. Since we announced the pilot cohort in early December, the AI Airlock …