7221posts
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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
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Wendling Beck: Nature Recovery on a Landscape Scale
In the heart of Norfolk farming country, Natural England has been partnering with an ambitious project to transform a large area of agricultural land into a haven for wildlife. The scheme aims to demonstrate that growing food is fully compatible …
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Net Zero Week: It starts with us
In this blog you will hear from some of the Project Futures Team at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), as they reflect on Net Zero Week, and how Transforming Infrastructure Performance (TIP) will help us reach our net zero …
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Making co-design more inclusive by overcoming language barriers
Policy Lab recently worked on a project that explored how resettled refugees can participate in language learning that supports their integration into society. To explore this area, we combined film ethnography and co-design to learn from and create solutions with …
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How our strategy and vision will affect the future of the MOT
Neil Barlow explores what future MOT's will look like and how DVSA Strategy and Vision is helping to support testers
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Three marine sites better protected as Highly Protected Marine Areas imposed
The first three marine areas have now been given Highly Protected Marine Area status in English waters, which will aim to protect their marine ecosystems for generations to come. Species and habitats found at the sites will benefit from the highest levels of protection against human activities such as dredging and trawling. The designated sites are Allonby Bay, North East of Farnes Deep and Dolphin Head.
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Cumbria River Restoration Strategy: from local to International success
The Cumbria River Restoration Strategy was developed to help improve the quality and function of three Cumbria catchments - the Rivers Eden, Derwent and Kent. From its humble beginnings to setting its sights on the World River Prize this year, read about why this programme has been so successful.
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The power of allies
Rachel talks through the importance of allyship and why you should take the time to consider who your allies are.
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Invest in your colleagues to deliver great care
If a social care provider has a cohort of staff who are happy, healthy and motivated, there’s probably a team, behind the scenes, building a strong workplace culture. Vida Healthcare's HR Manager, Barbara Yellow, explains more...
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Meet the new Chief Data Architect at Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO)
Jenny Brooker, Central Digital and Data Office’s new Chief Data Architect, discusses her passion for data, her career history, and her aims and ambitions in her new role. A focus on data I am fascinated by the power of data …
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Free flu vaccines for secondary school kids
All secondary school pupils in England will be offered a free flu vaccine from September for the 2023/24 season, the government has confirmed. Over 3 million pupils in secondary school years 7 to 11 will be offered the vaccine as …
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Ofsted's response to Stable Homes, Built on Love
Ofsted’s consultation response Last month Ofsted submitted its response to the government’s consultation Stable Homes, Built on Love. I am sure many of you did the same. There’s a lot in the proposals that we welcome. With additional resources and …
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Confirm your business details in the Rural Payments service
From July 2023, we will be asking businesses that have not confirmed or updated their business contact details in the Rural Payments service in the previous 365 days to confirm their business details before continuing to be able to use …
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Seeking an experienced and motivated Lead Engineer
Are you an experienced engineer looking for a new challenge? Are you ready to help us deliver the extraordinary? The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is seeking a Lead Engineer to join our team in Filton, Bristol. You’ll work alongside a …
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Exploring the rise of vector-borne diseases
Temperate regions such as the UK, are now seeing repeated introductions of invasive mosquito species, as well as mosquito-borne viruses not previously detected in the UK. Doctor Luis M. Hernández-Triana, APHA’s Discipline Champion and expert in the field of vector borne diseases describes how APHA is involved in vector borne disease research and the importance of these emerging pathogens.
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What is causing the long driving test waiting times?
In this blog post, CEO Loveday Ryder explains the three main reasons behind what is causing long driving test waiting times.
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Digital Transformation - Fixing the How, Accelerating the What
Mike Hill shares his insights on how to create lasting pace and impact with regards to digital transformation within government. This was the subject of a keynote speech that Mike gave at the Innovate NSW event last month in Sydney.
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The Justice Data Lab turns 10!
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Justice Data Lab, a pioneering team enabling third sector organisations to commission impact evaluations of their work.
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Wales follows Scotland and Northern Ireland in implementing low risk diabetic eye screening pathway
Wales has followed Scotland and Northern Ireland in implementing the UK NSC's recommendation for a low risk diabetic eye screening pathway.
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Creating a place for data analytics
My name is Joe and I work within the Defence Digital Foundry’s Data Analytics Service (DAS). The Foundry provides user-facing digital services, plus enabling tools and platforms to help digital teams across Defence deliver better and faster. Its mission is …
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X-ray technology from space
UK company Adaptix is using space technology to transform radiology by fundamentally changing how X-rays are generated.
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Zero Trust Architecture in MoJ Network Services
There is a new buzzword, Zero Trust (ZT), that is cropping up at every cyber conference and there are streams of online publications referencing its approach. While the concept has existed for a decade, it has gained a lot more …