7203posts
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Coverage of unlimited penalties for environmental polluters
Today, we are looking at coverage of new laws removing the cap on variable monetary penalties, as well as the Environment Agency’s annual report on water companies’ environmental performance.
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Taking a holistic approach to coastal habitat restoration
Environment Agency Chief Scientist Rob Bradburne sets out his views for coastal restoration for his speech at the Restoring Meadow, Marsh and Reef (ReMeMaRe) conference in Scarborough this week
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Why being a social mobility ambassador is important to me
As the world prepares to celebrate World Youth Skills Day, Lead Content Designer Leyla Kee-McParlin reflects on her experience of supporting the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Social Mobility Ambassadors Schools Programme, and what it’s given her, and explains what networks are doing both in Defra and across government to improve career progression in the Civil Service for those from low socio-economic backgrounds.
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Insights from our first full inspections of lead providers of the new early career framework (ECF)
High-quality teachers are essential for giving all pupils the very best education. This is especially true for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, those with English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). High-quality training and …
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Why should we share data?
The South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission work together to establish the benefits of sharing marine spatial data. Members of the Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI) Working Group, formed by representatives of the member states of the South West Pacific Hydrographic …
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Teacher strikes: Everything you need to know about the 2023/24 teacher pay award
NOTE: This post was updated on 02/08/23 to acknowledge the latest developments. School teachers in England have been given a pay award of 6.5% as the Government accepted all the recommendations set out by the independent body advising on teacher …
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The founding of the NHS: 75 years on
On 5th July 1948 the National Health Service was established in the United Kingdom. Britain was the first western country to offer free at the point of use medical care to the whole population.[1] Seventy-five years on the NHS continues …
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How home improvements affect your Council Tax band
In this blog, we explain what happens to your Council Tax band when you make changes to your home.
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Finding innovative solutions through the DBT Data Challenge
How teams from across DBT collaborated to win the DBT Data Challenge.
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Hot weather and heatwaves: guidance for schools and other education settings
There are several ways that schools can make changes to keep children safe in hot weather, especially as children are more at risk of becoming ill with heat-related issues than adults. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published updated guidance …
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Helping people navigate the justice system: signposting in action
Following Miriam Davidson’s blog on our signposting strategy Charlotte Rook, at Support Through Court, shares what happens after we signpost a person to their charity for help.
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New regulations set to promote fairness and transparency across the dairy sector
Defra announce more detail on regulations set to come into force later this year which will ensure supply contracts in the dairy sector are fair and transparent
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An Update to our Licensing Process: Returning Incomplete Applications
In response to the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK introduced the largest and most severe package of economic sanctions that Russia has ever faced. As a result, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) continues to experience unprecedented high …
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Six lessons for an AI assurance profession to learn from other domains - part three: features of effective certification schemes
We are looking at professionalisation and certification as part of our programme of work to support the vision laid out in our roadmap to an effective AI assurance ecosystem. As discussed in part one, it will be helpful to learn …
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Six lessons for an AI assurance profession to learn from other domains - part two: conditions for effective certification
Lesson two: Broad community building is crucial Community building that emphasises skills, communication, and diversity is crucial for ensuring that certification is reliable and accountable. Other sectors, like cybersecurity and healthcare, as well as cross-sector communities organised around ESG and …
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Six lessons for an AI assurance profession to learn from other domains - part one: how can certification support trustworthy AI?
The UK government's recently published approach to AI regulation sets out a proportionate and adaptable framework that manages risk and enhances trust while also allowing innovation to flourish. The framework also highlights the critical role of tools for trustworthy AI, …
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Early Career Scientist Interdisciplinary Summer School: a week of fun, facts and FISH!
First things first, who am I? I'm James, an Offshore Fisheries Observer and team leader at Cefas. I have been doing the observer role for almost 4 years now, so I am very much an early career (fisheries) scientist. I …
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British IP Day: 25 years of the Alliance for IP
The Alliance for IP is a UK-based coalition of organisations representing IP-rich businesses and creators. On British IP Day, and Alliance for IP’s 25th anniversary, IPO CEO Adam Williams looks at the value the organisation and its members contribute as a cornerstone of the UK’s IP environment.
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National Security Act Factsheet
Introduction The National Security Act, which received Royal Assent on 11 July 2023, is a response to the threat of hostile activity from states targeting the UK’s democracy, economy and values. The threat is ever evolving, and we need to …
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Introducing You To...
Hi, I’m Sue and I’m the Scheme Support Lead for RPA’s Grants Services. I joined RPA in 1989 straight from school. At that time it was the Intervention Board, becoming the Rural Payments Agency in 2001. I’ve had various roles …
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SATs results 2023: everything you need to know
Today, schools find out how pupils have performed in the key stage 2 (KS2) national curriculum tests, often referred to as SATs. The assessments are used to measure primary school performance, allowing teachers and parents to pinpoint where extra help might …
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Watch: How we put unproductive farmland to use
In this film, farming facilitator Danny Teasdale took us to Strickley Farm in Cumbria, to meet dairy farmer James Robinson. Danny and James show us a piece of farmland that has always been unproductive and prone to flooding. James and Danny explain how they re-meandered the stream through the flooded area to create a natural habitat for wildlife that can also be used for grazing livestock.
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Chief Executive’s message to stakeholders - FSA publishes 3-year plan
Emily Miles, Chief Executive of the Food Standards Agency, shares our new 3-year corporate plan. This sets out how we will turn the ambitions of our strategy into concrete actions.
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Performance testing GOV.UK Pay’s webhooks mechanism
We used performance testing to check our new webhook functionality worked at scale for our services. Find out what we learned.
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Law apprenticeship: how you could train to become a solicitor for free
Did you know that you can qualify as a solicitor through an apprenticeship? If you complete a solicitor apprenticeship, you’ll receive the same qualifications as someone who has taken a traditional route to becoming a lawyer, but you’ll avoid student …
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Coverage of new higher fines for litter, graffiti and fly-tipping
Today we are looking at coverage of the new higher limits for fixed penalty notices to tackle environmental crimes.
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Important mission delivery milestone achieved thanks to partnership working on defueling - Barry Hart, Head of UK Contracts, NDA
The NDA’s mission is soon expanding to include the decommissioning of the 7 advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGRs) power stations that are currently operated by EDF Energy. Through collaboration with EDF and our operating companies, Sellafield Ltd, Magnox Ltd and Nuclear Transport Solutions we are delivering a programme …
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Showcasing the work of Defra’s Trees and Forestry Team, the Forestry Commission and our Delivery Partners
Bella Murfin and Naomi Matthiessen are job share Directors for the Nature for Climate Fund Tree Programme in Defra. Here they look back at the last 6 months of the delivering the Government’s commitment to treble tree planting in England …
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Operation LASCAR- ANCORD: Our biggest seizure yet
Kimberly Homer-Theodore, one of our enforcement officers, talks about a recent case involving the seizure of a substantial quantity of veterinary medicines destined for export. A great result when we stopped the illegal export of over 6,700 veterinary medicines …
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Bursaries available for popular health screening course
We are pleased to again be able to offer a small number of bursaries to study the health screening module at the University of Warwick.
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Why we should reflect a diverse workforce with inclusive imagery
In modern Britain, we’d expect to see people with a wide range of characteristics in our advertisements, media and government communication. But this isn’t always the case. Learn how to choose and use diverse, inclusive photography and illustration.
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Thinking of starting a limited company? Here’s what you need to know about our new Directors Information Hub
If you’ve got a great idea for starting a limited company and are keen to get started. To help make sure your business succeeds – and keeps succeeding – the government has created an information hub for company directors so …
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How Blocktype makes it easier to understand housing development potential
Blocktype’s mission is to make it easy for anyone to understand what housing you can build where. Co-founder Euan Mills explains how the start-up developed a tool allowing anyone to explore easily what housing can fit on a plot of land, with the help of the Geovation Accelerator Programme and HM Land Registry data.
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How we are putting apprenticeships on an equal footing with degrees
Apprenticeships are more important than ever in helping businesses to recruit the right people and develop the skills they need. Since 2015, we have transformed apprenticeships into a prestigious option that better meets the skills needs of employers across the …
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Exam results 2023: 10 things to know about GCSE, AS and A level grades
This year GCSEs, AS and A levels are returning to pre-pandemic standards, with protection built into the grading process to recognise the disruption that students have faced. Students are at the heart of Ofqual’s decisions. It’s important that we get …
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Vocational and technical qualifications grading in 2023
Students are at the heart of Ofqual’s work, and thousands take vocational and technical qualifications, such as BTEC Nationals or Cambridge Technicals. These qualifications are a passport for students to move on to further studies, an apprenticeship or employment. Ofqual …
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Enforcement Days of Action – what they are and why they are important
The main purpose of my role as an Enforcement Team Leader for the Environment Agency’s Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire Area is making a difference to legitimate businesses. I’ve done the role for four years and I enjoy helping to ensure the environment is protected by working to combat illegal waste activities with my knowledgeable team.
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AI, social care and the problem with horses
Jim Thomas is unconvinced AI and robotics will result in a smaller social care workforce. "Horse manure has convinced me AI and robotics will help the social care workforce get bigger, more skillful and better paid." Intrigued? Read on!
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Milky way and meteors: the night sky in July
July is a great month for stargazing, including seeing the Milky Way galaxy, a conjunction of the rocky inner planets of our Solar System and two meteor showers.
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Coverage of funding for councils to clean up chewing gum from our streets
Today we are looking at coverage of new funding for councils to clean up chewing gum from our streets