GOV.UK blogs

SEARCH - the best-in-class tool that will revolutionise patent examiner searches

Stephen Otter, IPO Senior Patent Examiner and Search Tools Manager, gives us the inside story on a powerful new patent search tool launched at the IPO this month that will revolutionise our patent examiner searches.

Where there’s a digital skill, there’s a way…

When technology is embedded seamlessly into care and support services, it can be transformative: helping people to live happy, fulfilled lives in their homes and communities. Find out more...

Government Science and Engineering Profession Recognition Week 2023

Professional Recognition Offer re-launch  The Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Profession is excited to relaunch our GSE Professional Recognition Offer, with Professional Recognition Week taking place 25 to 29 September 2023.   The Professional Recognition offer provides GSE members with bespoke …

Global space agencies return to London for NASA 's Moon to Mars Architecture Workshop

In June, the UK Space Agency partnered with NASA to host a workshop exploring Moon to Mars Architecture in London.

Transforming for a Digital Future - one year update

A year on from the launch of the Transforming for a Digital Future strategy, Sam Lawler, Deputy Director, Strategy, Analysis and Reform at CDDO shares highlights and learnings so far.

Celebrating our GIAA Insights engine

We're all rather excited in GIAA this week as we're celebrating the first anniversary of launching our Insights Engine! "What is an insights engine?" you may well ask. Let us explain ... Have you ever had a pile of documents …

Helping you to carry out realistic mock driving tests

Last Friday (22 July 2023) marked 13 months to the day since we first published guidance to help you carry out realistic mock driving tests for your pupils. Our latest blog post looks at the top 13 facts from the first 13 months of the mock test guidance.

Dr Collin Willson wins RCVS Impact Award

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has long been proud of all of its vets and the vital work they do. The challenge has been that this work protecting public health, animal health & welfare and underpinning international trade often goes …

A mixed-methods approach to co-designing Seabass regulations

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Welsh Government have just launched a public consultation ahead of a new Fisheries Management Plan for Seabass. Policy Lab partnered with them in the lead up to a formal …

Drones, festivals, and coding competitions – an update on DVLA’s STEM programme

STEM ambassador, Karen Pitt provides an update on DVLA’s STEM volunteer programme and looks ahead to Code Challenge 2023.

UKHSA strategic plan: Addressing health threats, saving lives, protecting livelihoods

Wherever we look - locally, nationally, internationally - hazards to our health are all around us. UKHSA was established to meet these challenges head on, preparing for health threats, preventing them if we can and responding effectively in order to save lives and protect livelihoods.

Today I’m pleased to introduce our work in more detail through UKHSA’s first 3-year strategic plan, an important staging-post in our development and a chance to reflect on the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.

Honour stories: social care's power of change

I am incredibly humbled and honoured to have been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for my contributions to personalisation, disability, social care, and health policy. This blog is a reflection of my journey and an exploration of why it is crucial to recognise people involved in social care.

Defibrillators: All state schools now have lifesaving equipment

Having access to defibrillators in schools drastically increases the chance of pupils, teachers and visitors surviving a cardiac arrest. Teachers and pupils across the country can be reassured they will have access to this life saving equipment, as all state …

EA at Plastics Future 2023 – sharing creative approaches to end plastic pollution

To celebrate Plastic Free July, Victoria Prowse and Helen Powers from the East Midlands Regulated Industry team write about their recent talk at the Plastics Future 2023 conference at Plymouth University.

Care plans with added technology

Social workers are playing an increasingly vital role in the use of technology within adult social care. They offer a unique perspective, one that holds technology to account to the standards, ethics and practices they themselves adhere to. Find out more in this week's guest blog...

Coverage on new protected status for Single Malt Welsh Whisky

Today we are looking at coverage of our announcement that Single Malt Welsh Whisky has received protected status.

Proving letting information for self-catering holiday lets

In this blog we look at why the Valuation Office Agency needs your letting information and when you should provide this.

Update on the evaluative rollout of NIPT in England

Update on the evaluative rollout of non-invasive prenatal testing in the existing NHS screening programme for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome in England.

Why it’s important for me to make time for self-care

On International Self-Care Day Sarah Hoy explores what self-care means to her, and considers how each of us can try to improve our health.

How Natural England is working to achieve the government's nature targets

As the government’s statutory advisor on nature conservation, Natural England is charged by the government to achieve its ambitious targets.  We do this through advice to businesses, delivery projects with partners, grant funding and by regulation backed by UK legislation. …

Women’s Reproductive Health: Ending period stigma in the construction sector

To mark the one year anniversary of the landmark Women’s Health Strategy for England, the Equality Hub is hosting the first of a series of roundtables with businesses, to identify what good support looks like for women experiencing health issues …

And the winner of the RCVS Impact Award is... Collin Willson!

Earlier this month Collin Willson, Animal Welfare Veterinary Lead for the FSA in Wales, won the Impact Award from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. It recognises his long and impactful career in veterinary public health and food safety.

Reforming standards in central government - a step forward

Lord Evans welcomes the government’s response to CSPL's 2021 Upholding Standards in Public Life report and recommendations, published today.

Report highlights a busy year of firsts for the UK NSC

Annual report published summarising the work and achievements of the UK NSC in the first year under its expanded remit.

Unlocking the power of volunteering: Civil servants embrace team volunteering days

Jessica Jones and Jade Woodger-Bassford, placement students within the Environmental Services Team, share the story of their volunteering experience, showcasing the immense potential for civil servants to create positive change and strengthen their commitment to public service.

Asian hornets identified in Dover

Today we are looking at media coverage on our announcement regarding confirmed sightings of Asian hornets in Dover

The Environmental Improvement Plan: 40 Achievements Driving Sustainable Progress

Today, we look at key actions the government has taken to deliver on vital environmental objectives.

Coverage of the launch of six new Nature Recovery Projects

Today, we look at coverage following the launch of six new Nature Recovery Projects by Natural England and the government.

Improving environmental performance through our farming inspections

Like most businesses and organisations, as we have passed from spring to summer, the Environment Agency’s farming team has been reflecting on what we have achieved in the last financial year.

Introducing You To...

Hello, I’m Paula and I design and deliver control frameworks which capture all the processes that need to be followed when RPA is administering a new scheme or grant, that enables farmers to receive payments. These controls provide the assurance …

6 ways we’re widening access to apprenticeships  

Since 2010 over 5.5 million apprentices have started their apprenticeship journey in a wide range of industries, from health to business, to engineering and beyond. We’re committed to making sure that everyone who wants to become an apprentice can do …

10 actions local planning authorities can take to prepare for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

With BNG round the corner, we’ve put together suggested actions, to help LPAs prepare ahead of January. We've put these together based on feedback from local authorities and will make any updates directly in this blog. This list does not cover every possible action and each local area will have specific needs. It’s also worth noting that these points do not replace the legislation and guidance that we’ll be providing later this year.

Working in Land Use: interview with Land Use Divisional Director, Rachel Fisher

What is land use policy, what does it mean for England and what do policy makers do day to day? We sat down with the Land Use Divisional Director to find out.

BNG: what’s happened and what’s coming next

Here in the Defra Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) team, we’ve likened BNG to a baby elephant! It’s big, complex and needs a herd to nurture it to adulthood. In this blog, we set out what's happened so far on the BNG journey and what you can expect next.

Bus fire investigation reveals important lessons for industry to take forward

Ian Bartlett explores the recently completed study into bus fires reported to DVSA. We also take a look at how and why its so important to ensure that proper maintenance and repair of buses and coaches is carried out to help reduce risk for bus and coach operators.

How we're building a bespoke IT system to achieve nutrient mitigation for new house building

Samantha Denham and Gregor Neeve give us a look behind the scenes at the work that went into building a digital solution to support a key plank of the Government’s housebuilding strategy.

Watch: Trialling farmer-led land management plans at Aqualate Mere, Staffordshire

In this film, farmers from the Aqualate Mere catchment share their experiences of taking part in Tests and Trials. This test created a land management plan and worked to set priorities for the catchment, incorporating biodiversity, water quality and carbon sequestration.

Practice makes (social work teaching) perfect

One thing Lyn Romeo, Chief Social Worker for Adults, likes about her profession is the passion, dedication and commitment social work professionals have for supporting students and newly qualified social workers as they develop their skills, knowledge, and expertise.

Dividing a land parcel

In the second blog in our series about the RPA mapping process and how to carry out mapping-related tasks ahead of scheme applications, this blog will guide you through using a map to clearly identify a division or split of …

How the Civil Service is changing to deliver better services for all

A Modern Civil Service is our vision of a skilled, innovative and ambitious Civil Service equipped for the future. Over the last two years we’ve made good progress on this, but there’s still more to do. So we’ve set out our next steps with a refreshed reform approach, using lessons from what we’ve learnt so far to help us achieve greater change.