7365posts
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Cambridge
There has been coverage in the media this week following a letter sent by the Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook to local leaders in Cambridge. The letter confirms that Greater Cambridge has a vital role in kickstarting economic growth across the …
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A summary of the recent updates to SFI
Today, we published a summary of recent changes to the actions and scheme information for the expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) on GOV.UK. This post summarises the changes.
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What are dry day spills?
England’s sewerage system has thousands of miles of combined sewers. This means that rainwater and wastewater from toilets, bathrooms and kitchens all go into the same pipe to sewage treatment works. During periods of rainfall and/or snowmelt, the capacity of …
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Spotlight on Talent Development – meet summer intern Kiril Korzikovas
Summer intern Kiril Korzikovas shares his experience of completing the Civil Service Summer Internship Programme here at Defra digital data technology and security. I’m Kiril, a second-year student studying Economics and Russian at the University of Sheffield. I started my …
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Green Infrastructure: delivering quality of life and environmental benefits for communities
David Drake, Director, People & Nature at Natural England In January 2023, Natural England launched the Green Infrastructure (GI) Framework to support the creation of good quality Green Infrastructure which maximises benefits for people and nature. GI helps local authorities, …
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Cyber escape room
What the escape room was like As part of the Vulnerable Children and Families portfolio away day, I took part in the Cyber Security Awareness team’s escape room. This was a chance to look at cybersecurity in a different and …
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Programme Facilitator: Core Skills and Job Insights
We spoke with two programme facilitators, Simone and Craig. The programme facilitator role involves working with groups of offenders completing mandatory courses as part of their probation conditions. Simone joined the Probation Service two years ago and came from a criminal …
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The Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Challenge Game goes Global
The Marine Planning Team works with the MMO’s Marine Global Team to help aiming to better protect and sustainably manage their marine environments. Credit: Indonesia Nature Film Society, Rekam Nusantara Foundation Turkey Paul Gilliland, Head of Marine Planning, was recently …
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Webinar: Expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive offer 2024
On Thursday 26 September, we held a webinar for farmers to go through the guidance, actions and detail for the expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer. In this post, we share the recording.
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The Marine Spatial Planning Challenge Game
Used around the world by policy expert, decision makers and stakeholders to explore the challenges and opportunities of sustainably developing our oceans and seas. The interactive format of the game demonstrates the challenges and complexities of marine spatial planning. Credit: …
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Internal Marine Plan User Training Programme
In June and July, the marine planning team at the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) delivered a comprehensive training programme to enhance the understanding and use of marine plans in the organisation. This initiative aligns with the MMO's Corporate Plan and …
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Coastal Planner Corner
The MMO have marine planners based around the English coast. Their role is to engage with you for the development, implementation, and monitoring of marine plans. You can find out who your local coastal planner is and their contact details …
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Right to Buy coverage
It has been reported this morning that councils have spent more than £1 billion purchasing former Right to Buy properties since 2020. Right to Buy is an important route for council housing tenants to be able to own their home. …
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Inside the RPA: Leadership and Vision
In the first of a series of blogs from the Rural Payments Agency’s Customer Directorate, we feature video interviews with some of the key people whose roles are focussed on delivering and improving the services provided to customers. In the …
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School uniforms: Is your policy at risk of breaking the law?
School uniforms can give pupils a sense of identity and belonging to a community. But, for many families across the UK, buying school uniforms is a significant and unavoidable cost alongside the additional costs of childcare and entertainment during the …
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FiPL spotlight: improving water quality in the North York Moors
As part of the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme, managed locally by the North York Moors National Park Authority, funding has been allocated to several projects within Fryup Dale. In this post, the project team shares its work to improve water quality in the North York Moors, from wetland creation to enhancing farm infrastructure.
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How high is the risk of catching mpox and how can I protect myself?
In this blog post, we share more information about what mpox is, the different clades, the key symptoms and how UKHSA is working with partners to respond to the outbreak.
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We’ve still got a lot to learn about multi-cancer tests
Dr Jessica Lloyd and Dr Sowmiya Moorthie, of Cancer Research UK, discuss multi-cancer tests, their potential use in screening, their challenges and uncertainties.
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Response to coverage on the ‘March for Clean Water’
Today’s blog outlines the government’s response to recent coverage on the upcoming ‘March for Clean Water’.
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World-first project launched to track hedgehogs and reverse decline
In this post, Natural England Higher Officer Danielle Greaves, tells us about a world-first monitoring programme that launched this year to help track hedgehogs and reverse their decline.
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Supported accommodation – it can be right for some older children, but not for all
Ahead of inspections starting next month, Yvette Stanley gives an update on our registration work and sets out some ‘red lines’ when considering supported accommodation as an option for looked-after children and care leavers. Ofsted’s registration of supported accommodation providers …
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New mandatory bird registration: what do keepers need to know
Like microchipping for pet dogs (and cats if you live in England), new rules make it a legal requirement for everyone in Great Britain who keeps birds to register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Keepers must register …
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Inside BFSAI: HMS FORTH Officer of the Watch
HMS FORTH is the first of five Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV). Beginning service in 2018, she is a leading maritime security asset in the British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI). Her remit offers reassurance and protection in the Falkland Islands. …
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DataConnect is back this September
Learn more about DataConnect24 event taking place next month, from 23 to 27 September. The week-long event will bring together UK public sector data leaders, academics, innovative thinkers, data scientists, data engineers, and AI specialists. The agenda is now live.
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Meet the Unsung Heroes of the Networks Infrastructure Team
Networks infrastructure is part of the Digital Infrastructure and Security Operations team (DISO), which is responsible for the Network, Cloud, Cyber Security and Voice and Video Services across the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) estate. In this blog, three members of …
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RPA Grants Service team at shows and events
RPA’s Grants Service team have been attending numerous shows across the country this year, with more to come. They are encouraging farmers and businesses to meet them at the RPA stand to get advice on the grants available. In this …
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Implementation Challenges in Privacy-Preserving Federated Learning
Featuring: Dr. Mat Weldon - ONS Dr. Michael Fenton – Trūata Dr. Xiaowei Huang – University of Liverpool Dr. Yi Dong – University of Liverpool In this post, we talk with Dr. Xiaowei Huang and Dr. Yi Dong (University of …
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Agri-environment schemes work: Natural England’s latest findings
This month, Natural England published its annual report summarising projects of the Agri-Environment Scheme Monitoring & Evaluation Programme. In this guest post, Natural England’s Usha Waygood, Senior Officer in the Evidence Directorate, highlights some of the team’s findings from the report.
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Getting a head start on flu and other infections
The 18th century American philosopher, statesman and diplomat, Benjamin Franklin, famously said: “…in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” In the 21st century, we can add flu and covid infections to the list, so we need to be ready for them.
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GCSE results day 2024: Everything you need to know including the number grading system
Thousands of students across the country will soon be finding out their GCSE results and thinking about the next steps in their education. Here we explain everything you need to know about the big day, from when results day is, …
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Thriving Together: Nature and Community
Image: Natural England At the edge of Barrow-in-Furness, on the north-west coast of England, lies the island of Walney. A wild and windy landscape, it features some nationally rare and important habitats. It is linked to the much larger Morecambe …
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Marine Planning: Team changes and recruitment
We are excited to welcome three new team members to Marine Planning since our last update: Frances Procter – Senior Marine Planner (Natural Capital and Net Gain Lead) Emma Cooper – Marine Planner (Biodiversity and Habitat Lead) Char Lewis – …
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GAD’s work with the International Social Security Association
We work with the International Social Security Association (ISSA). In this blog, GAD Senior Consulting Actuary Chris Morley talks about his visit to the forum for ISSA technical commissions (TCs) in Geneva. The ISSA is the world’s leading international organisation for social security institutions, government departments and agencies. In March 2023 he was appointed as Vice-Chair of ISSA’s TC for Statistical, Actuarial and Financial Studies.
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Fines for parents for taking children out of school: What you need to know
Every moment in school counts and days missed add up quickly. Evidence shows that pupils who have good attendance enjoy better wellbeing and school performance than those who don't. The school day is split into two sessions – one session counts as …
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Looking ahead to results day for GCSE and level 1/level 2 vocational and technical qualifications
On Thursday (22 August), students will receive results for GCSEs and level 1/level 2 vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs). Students should be proud of their achievements as they receive their results. The qualifications they have gained provide trustworthy evidence of …
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One Big Thing 2024: One Big Thing starts with One Small Change
We are excited to announce that One Big Thing - our annual initiative to drive cross-Civil Service action around a shared priority - is back on 14 October 2024! Last year's focus on data skills was a tremendous success, with …
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First endorsed SFI action now available
The endorsed action, GRH6: Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland, is now on GOV.UK and is available to include in your Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) application through the Rural Payments service. In this post, we’ll give a brief recap on endorsed actions and summarise GRH6.
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Natalie brings sociological perspective to work of UK NSC
Profile on Professor Natalie Armstrong, the UK NSC’s implementation scientist expert
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How to stay healthy while wild swimming
This blog post has essential tips and advice if you're thinking of dipping your feet into the cool water of Britain's beaches, lakes and rivers. Read our tips on reducing your risk of becoming ill after open water swimming.
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The impact of the Common User Charge
Today’s blog outlines the government response to recent coverage of the Common User Charge introduced under the Border Target Operating Model.