GOV.UK blogs

Guidance now available for improved Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier offer 

Ahead of the improved Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme opening for applications, we’ve published the new scheme guidance on GOV.UK. In this post, we share a summary and a recording of a webinar held on 8 January.

Getting ready to apply for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will open applications for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier from summer 2025. Find out how you can get ready to apply.

Puberty blockers: what you need to know

*Updated 12 December* The government has confirmed that the existing emergency measures restricting the sale and supply of puberty-suppressing hormones will be made indefinite. This decision follows independent expert advice from the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) that there is …

Sharing our AI expertise

As a data analytics specialist working for the Government Internal Audit Agency, I think my experience of attending the Chartered IIA (Institute of Internal Auditors) conference back in September is probably the nearest I’ve got to feeling like a rock …

Our review of the area SEND inspection framework

Through the Big Listen, children, parents, carers and professionals told us that the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system is ‘broken’. Families shared heartbreaking stories of their fight to get the right support. Frustrated professionals told us that they …

Why we are experimenting with ethnography in the metaverse  

Over the past decade Policy Lab has established a foundational practice in film ethnography. Throughout this time, we have continued to push the boundaries of how this method can support policymakers to ground policy in lived experience. This year we …

Improving and evolving: Defra's content community projects

I’m Graeme Claridge, and I’ve been head of content design at Defra since April 2024. We’re a large community, with around 70 content designers. There's a lot to celebrate about our community: we’re incredibly supportive of each other, we’re highly …

Government Digital and Data in review: Top reads of 2024

As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to look back on the stories that have resonated most with our Government Digital and Data community. From groundbreaking AI advancements to best practices in digital transformation, these articles have sparked discussions, inspired innovation, and provided valuable insights across the public sector.

Hydrology: the study of water and why it matters

In a new blog, Abolanle Elizabeth Odusanya from the Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire hydrology team explains more about the wonderful world of hydrology; what it consists of and why it is important to the Environment Agency, particularly in the East of …

Details released of new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier – Natural England to work with invited farmers to develop applications

By Peter Craven, Head of Agriculture  Defra has today announced the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) offer, one of three Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, to help incentivise farmers to deliver improvements for nature and support sustainable food production.  …

Beyond qualifications: how experience, relationships and learning shaped my Civil Service career

Paul Compton, Deputy Director for Capability and Capacity at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, reflects on his career journey and learning, ranging from the RAF to SCS in the Civil Service.  As the Deputy Director for Capability and Capacity at …

Teacher pay: what does the pay evidence mean for schools?

The Department recognises that high quality teaching is the factor within school that makes the biggest difference to a child’s education, giving them the knowledge and skills to succeed throughout life. We are committed to supporting teachers to stay in the profession and thrive. 

SMA ISE partnership board updated on very useful modelling study workshop

The latest meeting of the SMA Screening In-service evaluation Partnership Board heard that interim results of a new modelling study into SMA screening for the UK context had been presented to a stakeholder workshop.

How human organs grown in labs are helping to develop the vaccines of the future

In this blog post, we’ll explore how scientists are using organs grown in labs to help accelerate the development of new drugs, therapeutic medicines and vaccines.

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.

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

This factsheet was updated 1 January 2025. 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 …

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.