GOV.UK blogs

Autonomous vehicles and IP: how one UK business is driving change

UK-based business, Oxa was the first company in the UK to test self-driving cars on public roads as part of Project Endeavour, an Innovate UK-funded trial. We caught up with Oxa’s Head of Licencing and IP Management Alex Tame to find out how owning IP has played a role in the research, production and scaling of their innovative AV technology. 

Blending private and public finance 

We want farmers and land managers in England to confidently and securely access payments from both the public and private sector for the environmental benefits and food they produce. In this post, we'll give a summary of our work and the initiatives supporting our ambitions in this space.  

How bacteria-munching viruses could offer an alternative to antibiotics

They look like something out of nightmare, but these so-called ‘spider viruses’ occur naturally, and could be a powerful new weapon in tackling the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Bacteriophages, or phages for short, have a remarkable and currently untapped …

You have nothing to lose

Celebrating Young Carers Day 2024, Carers Trust share more about their programmes and we speak with a Carer, who has found an opportunity via the GFiE & Carers Trust Life Chance Scheme partnership Carers Trust works to transform the lives …

HRH The Princess Royal presents King’s Awards trophy to winner Focus SB®

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal presented Mr Gary Stevens, Focus SB managing director, The King’s Award for Enterprise winner trophy in recognition of the company’s achievement in the international trade category on Wednesday 22nd November 2023. Employing 65 people, …

What are mRNA vaccines and how do they work?

In this blog post, we explore the decades old science behind mRNA and the exciting technology behind mRNA vaccines will help ensure preparedness against future health threats.

DVSA Vision 2030 and what it means for enforcement

DVSA’s vision to 2030 sets out how we will be keeping Britain moving safely and sustainably.

In the latest blog post, Caroline Hicks, DVSA Head Regulatory Services and Transformation, explains our plans for the future.

The evidence we use to develop our environmental land management schemes 

We’re committed to ensuring that the policies underpinning our environmental land management schemes are based on the very latest and best possible evidence. One evidence source is the recently published qualitative environmental impact assessment (QEIA). In this post I’ll give an overview.  

Coverage of £180m of investment fast-tracked to prevent sewage spills

Today, we are looking at coverage of today’s announcement that water companies have committed £180m in fast-tracked investment to prevent sewage spills.

From retail to Rising Star: how I built a fulfilling career in the Civil Service

Learn about what it's like to build a career at Companies House. Patrick Gilligan shares his experience, from getting started in the Civil Service to winning a Rising Star award at last year's Civil Service Awards.

We Are Strategic Command with Sarah Wallace

Sarah Wallace, Climate and Sustainability Lead, discusses the role of climate-conscious practices in Defence operations. Interviewer: Can you introduce yourself and your role at Strategic Command? Sarah Wallace: I'm Sarah Wallace, and I lead the climate change and sustainability team …

Celebrating the power of grant making

One month on and Penny Horner-Long chooses highlights from the first ever Government Grants conference and awards

The FSA takes time for British Science Week

There is no question that what and how we eat has evolved dramatically over time - I’m sure I’m not alone in eating a diet that is radically different to the one my parents or grandparents ate. This is partly about cultural and societal changes, but also owes a lot to science and the technological changes that have transformed the food system over recent decades.

Med Tech Regulatory Reform: Webinars, Trusted Advisors and Heading to Washington

  Welcome to the March issue of the Med Tech Regulatory Reform blog series. As the leader of a team which includes many talented female scientists, I am particularly delighted to be publishing this at the start of British Science …

International Women’s Day: Inspire Inclusion

International Women’s Day: Inspire Inclusion It’s International Women’s Day and Mandy Budwal-Jagait, Head of our Good Clinical Practice (GCP), team discusses why it’s important for us to Inspire Inclusion in the workplace. Trust, representation, opportunity, understanding, belonging. These are just …

60 years to a Chief Government Scientific Adviser: Leadership challenges for women in science

As part of our work to celebrate the United Nations “International Day of Women and Girls in Science”, the GSE’s Women’s Working Group organised a special panel event looking into the leadership challenges women face in science. The event was …

Breaking Gender Stereotypes: A Personal Reflection

This International Women’s Day, I wanted to reflect on the power of role models to increase inclusion and inspire change in the workplace.   When he was five, my son asked me if men were ever allowed to be doctors. His …

Meet the women in our criminal courts

To mark International Women’s Day 2024, we caught up with some of our female colleagues to find out more about their role, what it means for justice and their advice for other women looking at a career within the system.

Webinar follow up: the offer for arable and horticulture growers

On Thursday 29 February, we held a webinar for arable and field horticulture growers in England. In this post, I’ll share the recording and summarise the themes that emerged in the questions and I’ll set out the best ways for you to get answers.

The UK’s charitable spirit must be nurtured

Orlando Fraser KC talks about the new guidance published by the Charity Commission to help trustees when making decisions on accepting donations.

The Government Actuary - how to #InspireInclusion

The theme of this year’s International Women's Day (IWD) is #InspireInclusion. To mark IWD on 8 March, Fiona Dunsire, the Government Actuary, has been reflecting on what this means in her current role and in her career.

International Women's Day: From Farmer to Field Officer

On International Women’s Day, RPA Field Officer Donna Sweetmore, who is one of a 127 strong team of RPA Field Officers making more than 6,500 site visits a year, talks about her role, her background in agriculture and the visibility …

Building an Ambitious Civil Service

A Modern Civil Service is our vision of a skilled, innovative and ambitious organisation equipped for the future. We've discussed what we mean by skilled and innovative, but what does ‘building an Ambitious Civil Service’ mean? Almost everyone has heard …

International Women’s Day 2024

  To celebrate International Women’s Day 2024, on Friday 8 March, we decided to catch up with Sadia Shorif, a Science and Technology intern and learn more about why she chose a career in the Civil Service with a STEM …

Inspiring inclusion at DWP Digital this International Women's Day

Head of User Support Services, Sue Griffin reflects on our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and how we are creating inclusive communities.

Climbing the career ladder

June Smith is the Learning and Capability Lead in the Benefits and Credits Operations team – part of HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) Customer Services Group.

#InspireInclusion - Women in Science at the FSA

This year, International Women’s Day falls on the start of British Science Week, so it seemed only right to focus our blog this year on how to #InspireInclusion for our Women in Science.

Environment Agency monitoring of the South West's largest abstractor

Mark Pilcher, Land and Water team leader in West Cornwall, talks about our demanding work to inspect one of the largest abstractors of water in the south-west.  The Environment Agency (EA) is responsible for regulating water in England - its …

International Women’s Day 2024: inspiring inclusion

In celebration of International Women's Day 2024, 4 colleagues working in digital roles share their perspectives on this year’s theme ‘Inspiring Inclusion’. Join us as we delve into their thoughts and experiences, shedding light on the power of inclusivity in shaping a better workplace.

International Women’s Day - my career journey into Defra

On International Women’s Day, Angela Marriott shares her career story, which began on a Youth Training Scheme at a plastics company, and which has brought her to a senior role in our Service Management Office.

Dragons’ Den IP Blog - Series 21 Episode 10

It’s hard to believe that we are already on Episode 10 of Season 21 of Dragons’ Den. This series certainly hasn’t disappointed with its impressive display of intellectual property, and this episode is no different. 

Improving biodiversity and tackling poverty: new international research grant competition launches

In this blog, Caroline Bolhoven, head of International Sustainable Land Use at Defra, tells us how Defra are improving biodiversity and tackling poverty through a new international research grant competition.

Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard: Getting ready for adoption at scale

Today, the Responsible Tech Adoption Unit (RTA) in DSIT and the CDDO (Central Digital and Data Office) are launching updated products to better support public sector organisations in using the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS). This includes a new gov.uk …

Building Partnerships for Nature’s Recovery in the North

By David Renwick, Regional Director for the North at Natural England Last week saw a momentous week for nature across the north with the second annual Nature North conference in Newcastle and the Convention of the North in Leeds. As …

Mickey’s adventure into the public domain 

This year Disney is celebrating its 100th anniversary but did you know that the original version of one of Disney’s most iconic and popular characters, Mickey Mouse, has recently been released from its copyright worldwide? 

Spotlight on talent development: Meet Fast Streamer Gianmarco Zenzola

In the latest of our personal stories from colleagues who are on a talent development programme here in Defra, we meet Fast Streamer Gianmarco Zenzola.

Windrush Schemes Factsheet – January 2024

We are determined to put right the terrible injustices faced by some people from the Windrush generation and the wider Commonwealth, which happened under successive governments. The Windrush Scheme ensures members of the Windrush generation can get the documentation they need to …

Natural England wildlife licensing statistics for 2023

Many wild animals and plants are protected by legislation such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. As nature conservation adviser and regulator, one of Natural England’s roles is to licence …

British Forces Gibraltar Hold Another Successful International Women's Day Event

On Wednesday 6 March, British Forces Gibraltar (BF Gib) held another very successful International Women’s Day Event in Devil’s Tower Camp. The event which spanned over two hours, was opened by Commander British Forces Gibraltar, Commodore Tom Guy who thanked …

Conservation in action at Portsmouth Harbour

I work as DIO’s ecologist for the South East region, spanning from Hampshire all the way over to Kent and up to London and Oxford.   One of the highlights of my role is getting out on the MOD estate and …