7293posts
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Fast-tracking woodland creation in low sensitivity areas
Our Principal Advisor for woodland regulations looks at what version 4 of the England Woodland Creation Low Sensitivity Map, and starting to fast-track woodland creation applications in low sensitivity areas, means for tree planting.
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Our new powers to challenge and change company names
We're running stronger checks on company names which may give a false or misleading impression to the public. Find out how this may affect you or your company.
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Water company employees: How to report serious wrongdoing to the Environment Agency
Today, Tuesday 26th March, the Environment Agency (EA) has launched a new whistleblowing portal enabling water company staff to report environmental wrongdoing by their own organisations and industry. Our message to water company workers is that if you suspect the …
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How we’re improving support for children and young people with special education needs
All pupils should have access to the resources and support needed to fulfil their potential. Last year, we unveiled an ambitious plan, which set out our aims to change the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision system …
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Promoting the vote is social work in action
To support social work colleagues to promote people’s right to register and vote in elections, BASW, Learning Disability England, the National Principal Social Worker Network for Adults and Bradford Council, supported by the My Vote, My Voice campaign, have launched a Practice Guide to Promote the Vote. Find out more...
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Why we’re putting area limits on some SFI actions
Since we opened the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for applications, we’ve continued to refine the scheme. One of the things we’ve been monitoring is the impact of those actions which take land out of food production. In this post, we’ll explain why we’re putting area limits on some SFI actions.
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Horticultural farmers and growers in England – apply for an FETF grant today
With the deadline fast approaching, I want to encourage horticulture growers and farmers in England – and contractors to them – to consider applying for a grant offered through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2024 (FETF).
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Successful hockey training camp for Army U25's
The Army’s U25 Men’s Hockey Team were in Gibraltar at the end of February to take the opportunity to play some competitive matches ahead of their Inter-Services tournament in Aldershot in March. The Army U25’s Hockey Team won the indoor …
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How AI assurance can support trustworthy AI in recruitment
Today, DSIT’s Responsible Technology Adoption Unit (RTA) is pleased to publish our guidance on Responsible AI in recruitment. This guidance aims to help organisations responsibly procure and deploy AI systems for use in recruitment processes. The guidance identifies key considerations …
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How we are ensuring boys and girls have the same opportunities for school sport
Being active can have a hugely positive impact on children’s physical and mental health. Announced on International Women’s Day last year, our plans also make it clear that girls and boys should be able access the same sports. We have also …
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Tools and information to support the delivery of nutrient mitigation published
We are pleased to share a couple of products published to support the delivery of nutrient mitigation schemes across the country. These include our improved Nutrient Neutrality Budget Calculators and a page of technical Information on Nature-Based Solutions as Nutrient …
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What to do if you think your child has measles and when to keep them off school
Cases of measles are rising across England, including among children. It’s an infection that spreads very easily and for some people can cause serious problems. There’s no specific medical treatment for measles, so it’s important to get vaccinated as it’s …
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We Are Strategic Command with Toby Andrews
Flying Officer Toby Andrews, Innovation Scout in the jHub, talks about the impacts of his career in innovation. Interviewer: Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your role? Toby: I’m Flying Officer Toby Andrews, and I am an …
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Three months into the year, and three big steps forward
2024 is just three months old, but there have already been three huge steps forward for Britain’s nuclear renaissance. If you missed the nuclear news so far, here’s a summary.
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GSE Leadership Values: Masterclass review
The GSE Profession delivered its first Masterclass on GSE Leadership Values in London on 12 February 2024. Professor Andrew Curran (HSE) facilitated the event alongside four key SCS speakers: Robert Bradburne (Defra), Natasha Grant (CO), Damitha Adikaari (DESNZ), and Mary …
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Dragons' Den IP Blog - Series 21 Episode 12
We’ve reached episode 12 of series 21 of Dragons’ Den and the hunt is on to find the next money-making idea.
This week, Dragons’ Den featured an automatic shower cleaner that could have you ditching traditional bathroom cleaning products, and one entrepreneur making it her mission to make beans the stars of the show and not just the side dish! -
Farming Podcast: improving animal health and welfare on your farm
In this episode of the Farming podcast, our lead for healthier animals, Martin Jenkins, talks to dairy farmer Karen Halton. They are joined by infectious disease expert and vet James Russell. They explain what to expect from the SFI annual health and welfare review,
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A new Code of Ethics for Policing
In this blog, Chief Constable Andy Marsh QMP, Chief Executive of the National College of Policing, talks about the development of the new statutory Code of Ethics for policing.
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HMS Scott arrives in Gibraltar
On Sunday 17 March 2024, HMS Scott docked in Gibraltar for a routine logistical visit. Commanded by Commander Sam Nightingale Royal Navy, HMS Scott was built as an ocean survey vessel that was specifically designed to carry the modern High …
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Royal Gibraltar Regiment and Gibraltar Football Association U19's leadership training
Over the last few weeks, the Royal Gibraltar Regiment (RG) and Gibraltar Football Association’s (GFA) U19’s Women’s Squad have been collaborating in a series of leadership and training sessions in preparation for the team’s upcoming European U19 qualifiers in April. …
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Writing a great product strategy for great services
Lead Product Manager, James reviews the different approaches to product strategy so you don't have to.
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My experience as an RPA Ambassador
Last summer we launched our RPA Ambassador programme, aimed at getting our people out and about engaging with external audiences. As we explain in our 5 year strategy, we’re keen to grow our presence in rural communities to ensure the …
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What is Lyme disease and why do we need to be tick-aware?
To help you stay safe this spring and summer, we've compiled a guide to protecting yourself from tick-borne infections. In this blog, you'll learn how to avoid tick bites, how to recognise the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease and TBE and when to seek medical assistance.
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Better Together: Co-Designing with Local Authorities
Our family hubs digital project is complex - we knew we would need sustained involvement. The DfE’s family hubs digital team are developing services to help families and the local authority professionals who work with them. As local authorities open …
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How we value new properties for Council Tax
Your Council Tax band is based on the price your property could have been sold for on a fixed date. In this blog, we explain how we value properties built after this date.
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Regulatory Policy Committee welcomes two new members
A welcome and introduction to the RPC's two new members.
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Reflecting on 10 years of design, innovation and people-centred approaches in policy
Policy Lab is turning 10! In this special anniversary blog we reflect on: 10 years of dedicated work to bring the best of innovation, experimentation, and alternative methods to policymaking; 10 years of listening to, learning from and collaborating with …
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A military musical celebration
Last week, two members of the Band of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment - Bandmaster, Warrant Officer Class 2 Tom Rundle-Wood and Corporal (Cpl) Aysel Panter-Richardson - travelled from Gibraltar to Edinburgh to take part in the first 30th Anniversary concert …
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Protecting Model Updates in Privacy-Preserving Federated Learning
In our second post we described attacks on models and the concepts of input privacy and output privacy. ln our previous post, we described horizontal and vertical partitioning of data in privacy-preserving federated learning (PPFL) systems. In this post, we …
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Meeting our Water Needs for the Next 25 Years
When we make a cup of tea, coffee, or get a cold drink from the tap, we sometimes take for granted the huge journey that the water has been on. We may not be aware of the amount of work …
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In conversation with Westerfield Station Adopters, 2023 Bees Needs Champion
In this post, Defra policy advisor Sarah Galley sits down with 2023 Bees Needs Champion Westerfield Station Adopters to learn more about how they're raising awareness of pollinators and bees' needs locally.
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Enhancing Science and Engineering Capability: A Year of the GSE Awareness Courses
As we approach the one-year anniversary of the GSE Awareness Level Courses, we reflect on the impact they’ve had in shaping science and engineering capability across government. Your feedback has been instrumental in improving these courses, and we’re excited to …
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Royal Engineers continue Northern Defences transformation
Exercise STRONGHOLD took place last week in Gibraltar with Royal Engineers conducting various technical training exercises up at Buffadero Training Centre as well as a Civil Works Task alongside HM Government of Gibraltar’s Project Director, Mr Carl Viagas, at the …
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Animal Health and Welfare grants now available
You can now apply for an Animal Health and Welfare grant through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2024. These grants go towards the cost of items on a list that support animal health and welfare. We developed the list with farmers, vets and other experts. There are over 130 items on the list and 29 are new for this round. You'll see a range of items: from mobile cattle handling systems to enclosed piglet creeps to poultry perches. If you're a livestock farmer, it's worth taking a look.
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We Are Strategic Command with Robert Jaffier
Learn more about the crucial role of Human Security in Defence with Cdr Robert Jaffier, Human Security Lead at Strategic Command. Interviewer: Could you introduce yourself and your role in this context? Robert Jaffier: My name is Robert Jaffier, and …
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Spotlight: a catchment coordinator's work on the Dart Saltmarshes
In this post, Emma Magee shares what it's like to be a Catchment Coordinator in Devon.
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School funding: Everything you need to know
No school, child or local authority is the same and school funding needs to reflect that. That’s why sometimes it can seem complicated. Here’s what you need to know about school funding. How are schools funded? Most state-funded schools in …
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8 facts to level up your knowledge on Wargames
From digital networks to medical services, Strategic Command is responsible for a lot of different functions within Defence. This means there are probably parts you haven’t heard of, and even if you have you might not know how their work …
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The Holiday Activities and Food programme – when you need to register with Ofsted
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is funded by the Department for Education (DfE). The aim of the programme is to help families with enrichment activities and food for children throughout the holiday periods. The programme is for children …
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Recognising the vital work of conveyancers
Reflections on National Conveyancing Week and HM Land Registry’s work to support conveyancers.