GOV.UK blogs

Setting the Standard

The days after a general election, especially when power transfers to another political party, are a hectic time in government. After campaigning hard and knocking on doors, the new teams and staffers must familiarise themselves with their roles and departmental …

Letter to the education workforce from Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has written a letter to the education workforces to make clear the valuable role they will play in the government’s agenda for change. To all working in early years, children’s services, schools, further and higher education, …

New screening masterclass dates announced

Two new dates have been announced for our popular screening masterclasses in autumn 2024.

5 simple actions to help pollinators this Bees’ Needs Week

The Environment Blog is back! We’ll keep you updated with all the latest policy news. But it’s also Bees’ Needs Week, so today we’re writing about how you can support pollinators with 5 simple actions.

Business and consumer surveys: a new approach to gathering evidence for our investigations

The TRA conducts investigations into allegations of unfair trading practices and makes recommendations to government on appropriate measures (such as tariffs) to defend UK economic interests. Here at the TRA, we’re trying to make it easier for supply chain businesses …

2024 annual call for topics is open

The UK NSC’s 2024 annual call for new screening topics has opened, giving stakeholders the chance to propose potential new screening programmes, new technologies we have not previously reviewed, modifications to current screening programmes, or early updates to topics the committee has considered recently.

Improving our website search

Rob Thomlinson, Senior Product Manager, shares how we're updating our website search with natural language processing to provide users with richer search results to increase the probability of them finding what they're looking for.

From measles to malaria, how to keep you and your family healthy on holiday

Dr Shreya Singhal is a junior doctor working in West London, as well as being a keen backpacker. She has worked in Infectious Diseases and General Practice and shares her top tips for people looking to travel this summer. With lots …

Scottish business Load Monitoring Systems (LMS) recognised with King's Award for Enterprise

At just seven years old, being honoured with the UK’s most prestigious business award in recognition of success in international trade is a monumental achievement and, for LMS, the timing coincides with another important landmark in our corporate journey writes …

Apply now for a Laying Hen Housing For Health and Welfare Grant

Applications are now being taken for a new grant for hen housing, which is available to laying hen and pullet farmers in England with flocks of 1,000 birds or more. This grant can be used to part fund two different …

Esteemed UK space sector colleagues recognised in King’s Birthday Honours 2024

The King's Birthday Honours saw UK space sector colleagues recognised for their work's contributions. The UK Space Agency celebrates and congratulates these space pioneers.

Calling all TRAilblazers : Join the TRA and Champion Fair Trade

Are you passionate about ensuring fair trade and protecting UK industries? Do you want to work on issues that have a national and international significance? The UK Trade Remedies Authority is looking for dynamic individuals to join our diverse team …

Get funding to improve animal health and welfare

New support to tackle endemic diseases for keepers of beef cattle, pigs and sheep is now available as part of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. This support is not yet available to keepers of dairy cattle. The availability will …

Current Vacancies at The TRA

The TRA is one of the first public bodies to be set up to meet the new needs of the UK following its departure from the European Union. We play a central part in ensuring that the international trading environment …

Ultramed receive King's Award for Innovation!

Ultramed is a digital health company specialising in pre-procedure assessments. Dr Paul Upton, Ultramed’s CEO, said “the King’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category was a fantastic recognition of the efforts of every person in our small team of …

Gripple – King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation

Gripple is the original innovator and manufacturer of wire joining and tensioning devices, as well as anchoring, bracing and suspension systems that have changed the game for many industries. We operate in 85 countries worldwide, employing more than 900 people …

Coverage of BBC investigation into potential illegal dry spills by water companies in 2022

There has been expected coverage by the BBC on their investigation into England’s water companies discharging sewage when the weather is dry. The investigation suggests 6000 possibly illegal spills occurred during 2022. The coverage notes that three water companies shared …

DIO's links to D-Day - Tom's story

As we mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, we at DIO are reflecting on our own experiences and stories of the invasion. Tom Niblett, from our External Communications team, has shared his family’s experience. Tom’s granddad, Thomas Payne was part …

Alchemy Technology Services Receive The King's Award for International Trade

Alchemy Technology Services is a global centre of excellence specialising in insurance software implementation and professional services. Founded as start up in September 2018 in Derry/Londonderry, Alchemy has grown from a staff of zero to over 200 based in Northern …

Vyta - Northern Ireland Business Receive King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development

Established in 2001, Vyta is a global leader in IT Asset Disposition and Lifecycle Management (ITAD and ITALM), offering comprehensive, sustainable, compliant and totally secure solutions covering the entire IT lifecycle in over 50 countries around the world. In 2023, …

D-Day Map used by Eisenhower still stands in DIO building

In June 1944, the official order to launch the Normandy Landings was made from a small room in an Officers’ Mess. That room, and the history it holds, is cared for by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) as part of …

New evidence Asian hornets overwintering in UK

There has been widespread coverage this morning across BBC Breakfast, the Times, the Telegraph, the Guardian and the Daily Mail focused on new evidence Asian hornets have overwintered in the UK. Genetic analysis conducted by APHA’s National Bee Unit, found that three Asian hornets queen’s trapped last month in Sussex are the offspring of a nest that was destroyed in the area, in November 2023.

Whilst this is the first evidence of Asian hornets overwintering in the UK, it is not considered to be strong evidence of an established population.

DIO commemorates 80 years since D-Day

This year, the UK will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944. There will be a series of major events across the UK and in France. D-Day saw the Allied Forces mount a large-scale invasion …

Operation Nightingale: Digging Band of Brothers

Defence Infrastructure Senior Archaeologist Richard Osgood led an Op Nightingale Dig at a site in Aldbourne, Wiltshire which has significant links to the preparations for the  D-Day landings. The dig, which aligns with the 80th anniversary year of D-Day landings, …

Reflecting on Mental Health Awareness Week 2024

Reflecting on Mental Health Awareness Week last month, it was an opportunity to focus on the importance of mental health. Mental health covers a wide variety of conditions, and a quarter of people or more will at some point have …

How this wall was used to prepare for the Normandy Landings

Hidden away deep in the Surrey countryside sits a piece of iconic British history. A structure that Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) proudly cares for that helped the Allies prepare for the D-Day landings in 1944.   A replica of the Nazi-built …

We're pausing the Environment blog

Due to the pre-election period, the Environment blog will be quieter than usual.

How content-first design can improve the customer experience

At the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO), we are committed to innovating to find solutions to our end users' problems. Our user-centred design (UCD) team of user researchers, content designers and user interaction designers guide teams to improve experiences and engage …

Greg’s passion for improving health and following the evidence

Greg Fell brings public health passion and expertise to key role on the UK NSC.

Anglian Water Services Ltd convicted in case brought by Environment Agency

Update on Environment Agency court case against Anglian Water

Making the move to digital for training logs

Chris Price discusses the move to digital for training logs and how testers need to record their annual training going forwards.

George from RPA's Grants Service tells us about the training course at the Allerton Project

George from RPA’s Grants Service team talks about the two-day training course he attended at the Allerton Project in Leicestershire. The Allerton Project is a 320 hectare demonstration farm which researches the effects of different farming methods on wildlife and the …

Environment Agency explains that pollution in Windermere is reducing but more needs to be done to tackle all sources of pollution, not just sewage

Andy Brown, Environment, Planning and Engagement Manager at the Environment Agency, explains that pollution in Windermere is reducing but more needs to be done to tackle all sources of pollution, not just sewage.

Meet the Modern Civil Service: Carol Bernard

  What does A Modern Civil Service mean to you?  It means a number of things. I'm part of the Government People Group so for me, A Modern Civil Service is all about people. Within the Civil Service we have …

How sharing your experience helps to improve the Digital Registration Service

Every upgrade we have made to the Digital Registration Service since 2021 has depended on the involvement of conveyancers, legal professionals and other service users. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has taken part.

High court ruling on Farming Rules for Water

Today we are looking at today’s high court ruling on Farming Rules for Water

Draft determinations for water companies

The economic regulator of the water sector Ofwat has confirmed it will delay its publication of water company draft determinations until 11 July 2024. 

RPC provides greater transparency on Government Impact Assessments

The RPC has today published a summary table of the ratings in its opinions on impact assessments published over the past few years. This is a further step in making the Better Regulation Framework as transparent as possible.

Our Natural Health Service

By Esther Smith, Senior Adviser, Health and Environment, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Area Team The links between health and nature have arguably never been clearer. The healing power of nature is taking centre stage for people’s health and nature’s recovery …

Data protection in a borderless digital landscape

Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) have become an increasingly important policy priority for governments, multilateral organisations, and the data privacy expert community. PETs refer to a range of digital technologies and techniques that enable the collection, processing, analysis, and sharing of …