7167posts
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Apprenticeships: How to start one and tips for success!
As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week from 5 to 11 February 2024, Sam Pusar shares the exciting opportunities that await at The Planning Inspectorate and the immense benefits of undertaking an apprenticeship.
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From apprentice to Technical Director and an OBE: Tom Meadow’s career journey in Defence
My name is Tom Meadows and I am Technical Director and Deputy Head at the Security Services Group (SSG). This National Apprenticeship Week, I'm sharing my journey and how I came to be awarded an OBE. I joined Defence as …
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Windrush Schemes Factsheet – December 2023
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 …
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UK NSC explores potential developments in bowel cancer screening
The UK National Screening Committee held a horizon scanning event in Edinburgh to explore potential developments in research, international policy making and emerging technologies related to bowel cancer screening.
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National Apprenticeship Week at DVLA: growing talent and creating new opportunities
For National Apprenticeship Week, Amy Taaffe-Evans (Head of IT Controls, Strategy & Enablement) shares the importance of apprentices within the digital profession, particularly at DVLA.
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Update on the implementation of Automated Track Case Management
Crime Programme Director, Daniel Flury, shares an update on the implementation of Automated Track Case Management.
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Farming in Protected Landscapes: our progress and a spotlight on the 3,000th project
Since launching in 2021, the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme has funded 3,000 projects across England. Together, these projects have created and improved more than 70,000 hectares (ha) of habitat for biodiversity, planted more than 100 miles of hedgerow, more than 100,000 trees and conserved or enhanced 300 historic features, buildings and structures. In this post I'll shine a light on the 3,000th project and share details of an upcoming spotlight series.
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Coverage of launch of Environment Agency Economic Crime Unit
Today we are looking at coverage of the launch of the Environment Agency’s Economic Crime Unit to address serious financial offences in the waste sector.
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6 ways we’re supporting children and young people with their mental health
Schools and colleges play an important role in promoting and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of students through creating safe, calm and supportive learning environments. Student voice is key to schools and colleges having an effective approach to wellbeing …
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National Apprenticeship Week: my journey to become a cyber security apprentice
Tarun recently completed his cyber security apprenticeship in the department. To mark National Apprenticeship Week, Tarun shares how he found his career in cyber security and what he has learnt on his apprenticeship journey.
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Medical doctor apprenticeships: Everything you need to know
The NHS confirmed pilot funding for a new Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship in January 2023. The apprenticeships are also part of the NHS England Long Term Workforce Plan, which will see the biggest expansion of training in its history to …
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Growing strong: Defra’s Trees and Forestry Team reflect on the last 6 months
Bella Murfin and Naomi Matthiessen, job share directors for the Nature for Climate Fund Tree Programme in Defra, look back at the last 6 months delivering the government’s commitment to treble tree planting in England by the end of 2025.
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Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan: One year on
Our chair Alan Lovell reflects on our progress to achieve government’s Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) goals. One year ago, the government published the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) to halt and reverse the decline of nature in our country. With climate …
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2023 summer interns - working in agile sprints
Haleema writes about her experience as an intern in GDS and learning to work in two-week agile sprints
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National Apprenticeship Week 2024: Meet the STEM Apprentices 2/3
Luke – Engineering Degree Apprentice: Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Electronic Engineering I’m a final year Engineering Degree Apprentice studying for a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Electronic Engineering, with the ambition of achieving Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status on completion, …
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Wetland restoration: for people and planet
By Craig Ralston, Reserve Manager, Natural England World Wetlands Day, an annual awareness day, marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971. The adoption took place in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on …
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What we're doing to recruit more early years workers including trialling a £1k sign-on bonus
We’re taking important steps to deliver the expanded 30 hours free childcare scheme for working parents from when their child turns nine-months-old until they start school, saving them £6,500 a year. Over 100,000 parents of two-year-olds have already registered their children …
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World Wetlands Day 2024: Wetlands and wellbeing
In this post, Jordan tells us about the importance of wetlands and their wellbeing benefits.
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Dragons' Den IP Blog - Series 21 Episode 5
Innovative ventures and intellectual property set the stage alight on Dragons' Den this week - from a hair care revolution to dental hygiene for cats, the Den saw a variety of presentations, each with their own unique challenges and opportunities.
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Come and meet RPA at shows and events across the country
It’s going to be a busy 2024 for RPA, ensuring its external engagement is as successful, if not more so, than last year’s. We’ll be engaging with even more farmers and rural communities across the country, with a presence at …
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Get to know Rebecca Pow, Minister for Nature
Rebecca Pow is the Under-Secretary of State for Nature at Defra. In this post, you can read about why she is so passionate about the natural world and farming.
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2023 Student Extramural Studies Placement
During summer 2023, we were delighted to host a one-week study placement for veterinary students at our offices in Surrey. This was the third year we had offered this popular training opportunity. Students participated in a wide-ranging programme of presentations …
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Ban on unregistered XL Bully dogs now in force
We look at media coverage of the law banning XL Bully dogs without a valid exemption coming into force.
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Designing the world's most effective border
Patrick O'Shea writes about how his team have gone about refreshing how the UK's border operates.
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National Apprenticeship Week 2024: Meet the STEM Apprentices 1/3
George - Defence Aerospace Degree Apprenticeship Scheme I have spent most of my working career as an apprentice, starting off as an advanced apprentice technician in the Royal Air Force (RAF). My working day consisted of fixing the latest fast …
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Pharmacy First: what you need to know
Patients can now get treatment for seven common conditions directly from their local pharmacy, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription. The Pharmacy First scheme was launched by the government and NHS England on 31 January 2024 …
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Showcase your work at Services Week 2024
Are you involved in a digital public service? From the policy idea, design or development to data behind the scenes or the day-to-day running, we want to hear from you! Join us at Services Week 2024 this March. What is …
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The Subsidy Advice Unit – our first year and next steps
The Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU), part of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has now been operating for just over a year as part of the UK’s domestic subsidy control regime. The SAU has two key functions – evaluating assessments …
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Explaining How Bathing Waters are Monitored, Warnings Issued and Results Published
We know how important our bathing waters are to local communities and the health and wellbeing benefits they deliver. The Environment Agency has an important role to play in the regulation of bathing waters, providing scientific and legal advice to government and informing communities about where to take a dip safely.
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Connecting businesses with nature projects
Projects for Nature is a pioneering new online platform that connects businesses and other donors with 23 nature recovery projects across England (all of which have been screened by experts). I’m Justin, the nature lead for The Council for Sustainable …
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Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme factsheet – February 2024
The Government’s number one priority is keeping the UK safe. To strengthen the security of our border and improve travel, the UK has launched an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme - an ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK. …
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New announcements to boost nature recovery one year on from the launch of the Environmental Improvement Plan
New measures will help to protect wildlife and habitats on land and at sea
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Norfolk – a county where children & young people FLOURISH.
Norfolk – a county where children & young people FLOURISH. Norfolk has a shared ambition to be a county where every child and young person can flourish. Through the work of the Children & Young Peoples Strategic Alliance (CYPSA) Norfolk …
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British Forces Gibraltar Personnel in The Alps
In the last week, 11 British Forces (BF) Gibraltar personnel travelled 1800 km to enjoy a challenging and educational trip to the picturesque French Alps to join over 1000 other Royal Navy personnel participating in the 2024 Royal Navy (RN) …
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Media coverage on new border controls
Today we’re looking at coverage on new border controls introduced today under the Border Target Operating Model
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Power of Attorney Stories: Shirley
[English] - [Cymraeg] A Lasting Power of Attorney (also known as an LPA) is a legal document. It allows you to nominate someone you trust to step in and make decisions about your health and welfare and property and finance …
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So long and thanks...
This is my farewell post before I step down as Chief Social Worker for Adults. It was a privilege and an honour to take on this role over 10 years ago, the first of its kind in England. I am so very grateful for all the support I have received from so many people...
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Watch: webinar for tenant farmers
On Thursday 8 February, we hosted a webinar for tenant farmers. In the session, we gave an overview of the actions and payments available through our environmental land management schemes in 2024. This post includes the recording of the webinar.
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New actions to support seabirds, wildlife and Net Zero
Today, one year exactly since the publication of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), we are taking further actions to halt and reverse the decline of nature in our country. Firstly, to protect an important forage fish for a range of …
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The Environmental Improvement Plan: Our progress one year on
Read about the actions Defra has taken since 31 January 2023, from supporting England's wildlife to cleaning up our water.