GOV.UK blogs

Data Bill: committee debate in House of Lords 

The Data (Use and Access) Bill will underpin the Government’s plans to ensure that digital identity products and services offered in the UK can be trusted by those that want to use them.   The measures relating to digital identity – which …

Coverage following reforms to electrical waste regulations

There has been widespread positive coverage following our announcement to make online giants pay their fair share for the treatment of electrical waste.

Coverage of reforms to bin collections 

There has been coverage in recent days around the government’s Simpler Recycling proposals for bin collections, which will make recycling easier for households and businesses. 

Wargaming Wisdom

As part of the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub’s People in Wargaming series we recently spoke to a panel of people/experts about their experiences in the field of wargaming. Interviewer: Can you briefly introduce yourself?   Tom: I’m Tom Mouat, I'm …

Funding Service: How digital innovation will help us to deliver grants faster, better and cheaper  

MHCLG's Funding Service is transforming how grants are delivered. Find out how we're saving time and money for the department and the communities we serve.

Into the woods: enhancing local history with woodland and green space

Join us for this month's this month’s ‘Into the woods’ blog by Regulations and Incentives Support Officer Tab Robinson, who explores how woodland can help connect communities with the roots of their local community.

New Nature Connection website brings together   policy, practice and research

The University of Derby and Natural England have been developing a Nature Connectedness Network and it has now gone public with the launch of its website! CLICK HERE  www.natureconnectedness.net As society becomes more aware of the mutual dependency between people …

Coverage following British unprocessed pork exports to China resuming

Today we are looking at coverage of our announcement that the government has secured the end of China’s Covid-era restrictions on UK unprocessed pork.

Here are the facts about our junk food advertising ban

One in 10 reception aged children are now obese, and one in five children by age 5 are suffering from tooth decay. These children are being set up for a lifetime of health problems, and it's estimated that obesity costs …

Primary school admissions 2025: How to apply and when is the deadline?

Parents of children aged three and four will be thinking about submitting their applications to secure their child’s place at primary school for the next academic year.    The deadline is fast approaching and applying on time will boost your chances …

Keeping close at Christmas – a musical ‘advent’ure

Find out how we're engaging as a team across multiple sites this Christmas period.

Meet the Modern Civil Service: Bob Kamall, Engagement Manager, Central Digital and Data Office

To celebrate Government Digital and Data’s one year anniversary, CDDO’s Engagement Manager Bob Kamall shares his reflections on 46 years in government, as he approaches retirement.

Digital Planning: Developing planning applications specifications in the open 

The first collaborative sessions with the planning community to develop data specifications for planning applications have taken place. Find out about the ambition, the progress being made and how you can get involved.

1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act - a reflection from Navroza Ladha

By Navroza Ladha, Chief Officer for Legal, Governance and External Affairs at Natural England On the 16 December this year (2024) we will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the groundbreaking “1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act”, …

Unregistered children’s homes: too many vulnerable children are placed at risk

We have published our new analysis of the concerning rise in the use of unregistered children’s homes. Last year, we opened over 1,000 cases to investigate potential unregistered settings. Why are we concerned? Some of the most vulnerable children are …

Fisheries Data Mapping: An Update from the MMO Marine Planning Team

In May, we shared an update on fisheries data and mapping. We are pleased to announce that maps based on the approach and data mentioned in the previous post are now available on Explore Marine Plans, for UK and Crown …

2024 Festive accessibility quiz

We hope you enjoy this light-hearted, festive quiz brought to you by Kelly and Samantha.

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.

Heavy vehicle testing and approvals: what we’re working on

I wanted to update you on some of the work we’re doing behind the scenes at DVSA in the heavy vehicle testing and approvals world.  

This year has seen us invest in upgrading our systems, modernising our services and providing a more efficient service for our customers up and down the country.

Prevent and Channel factsheet - 2024 

What is the Prevent programme?  The core mission of Prevent is stopping people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. The early intervention support provided by Prevent addresses the personal, ideological, and social factors which make people more susceptible to radicalisation.  …

Accelerating Defence software in 2024: The latest highlights from D2S

Defence Developer Services (D2S) is part of Defence Digital Foundry and provides products that will enable the software development community to accelerate the delivery of software and applications for Defence.  Hello everyone! It’s been a few months since my last …

Bovaer cow feed additive explained

Cymraeg There has been widespread media coverage and discussion on social media about a feed additive called Bovaer being trialled to reduce methane emissions from dairy cows to help combat climate change. Here we answer some of the questions being …

World Soil Day: Unearthing the secrets of soil

Happy World Soil Day! Let's take a moment to appreciate the incredible role soil plays in our lives. Healthy soil is the foundation of sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Below, read about the Environment Agency’s efforts to measure, monitor, and …

Health screening module as popular as ever in its 14th year

‘An excellent experience all round’: screening professionals are full of praise for 5-day Warwick course.

Media factsheet: eVisas

Overview The Home Office is developing a border and immigration system that is more digital and streamlined. eVisas, a digital proof of immigration status, are a key part of this transformation and will enhance visa holder and new applicant’s experience, …

Working together to create natural, sustainable solutions to climate change and nature loss 

Nature Returns is an ambitious program across government and the private sector to explore head-on some of the biggest environmental challenges we face. Key participants in the programme include the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.   …

Messium uses space-based nitrogen analysis as an enabling technology for farmers 

Messium, part of the UK Space Agency’s Enabling Technologies Programme (ETP), are using space-based nitrogen analysis as an enabling technology for farmers.

UK NSC consults on offering HPV self-sampling option to under-screened people in cervical screening programme

The UK NSC is consulting on whether to offer an HPV self-sampling option to people who rarely or never attend their cervical screening appointments.

Making the most of design histories 

At the Department for Education (DfE), all designers working on service teams are required to work ‘in the open’. One way we do this is by sharing our design thinking through design histories.  Design history posts are blogs that record …

How we monitor invasive mosquitoes and stop them spreading in the UK

As we release data showing a significant rise in travel-related infections like dengue and malaria, we speak to Colin Johnston, Senior Medical Entomologist at UKHSA, about his team’s work on invasive mosquito surveillance. Read on to find out how we …

What is bird flu and how are we protecting people against it in the UK?

Avian influenza (bird flu) is an infectious disease that affects birds, caused by the influenza A virus. Birds are the hosts for a variety of influenza virus subtypes, particularly waterfowl and shore birds. All birds are susceptible to avian influenza …

Meet the GSE award winners

Interview with Stacey Rothwell, Innovation award winner At the GSE Conference, we celebrated excellence in science and engineering by recognising outstanding contributions across government. There were several award categories, with eight key awards in total. We sat down with our …

GOV.UK Forms through the ages

As GOV.UK Forms moves into public beta, find out what we’ve done so far, what we’re doing next and how you can get involved and start building your own forms on the platform.

Response to Centre for Cities report

There has been widespread media reporting following the publication of a Centre for Cities report focusing on the government’s housing targets. This government is clear it will deliver 1.5 million homes over this Parliament and fix the housing crisis, but …

Digital Planning: applying digital principles and innovation to transform England’s planning system 

The Digital Planning programme in MHCLG is transforming the future of planning. Find out how standardised data, innovation, collaboration and enhanced use of digital tools are reshaping England's planning system to make it more efficient and inclusive.

UK NSC received 26 new submissions in response to 2024 call for topics

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) received 26 proposals in response to its 2024 annual open call for topics.

Following in my family's forestry footsteps

Ian Everard is a Field Manager in the Yorkshire and North East team and has been in forestry for 43 years. Ian talks about his journey into forestry, what inspired him and why it’s been such a rewarding experience.

Working together for Nature Recovery in Greater Manchester  

The launch of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has been a major achievement this year – this world-leading initiative means that for the first time, development must leave nature measurably improved. I was lucky enough to visit Greater Manchester to speak …

DHSC Hospital Fault Reporting Beta Assessment

Read the beta report for the Hospital Fault Reporting App assessment from DHSC. This report contains the original beta assessment report from 01 September 2022 as well as the reassessed service standard points

Radical action to speed up removal of unsafe cladding announced

There has been widespread coverage following the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government’s publication of the Remediation Acceleration Plan today (2 December 2024) This was picked up in print and online by the BBC, FT, I, Guardian, Mirror, LBC, …