GOV.UK blogs

Data Hackathon: Exploring how open data can help transform the planning system

Find out how a recent hackathon was used to start to build an app, based on open planning datasets, which could be used to help identify brownfield land for development.

Introducing the Model for Responsible Innovation

Last week, the Responsible Tech Adoption Unit (RTA) published our Model for Responsible Innovation, a practical framework for addressing the ethical risks associated with developing and deploying projects that use AI or data-driven technology. The Model sets out a vision …

Highlights from the Government Science and Engineering Conference 2024

The biennial Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Conference 2024 was a great opportunity to showcase science and engineering innovators in the Profession.

IP and colour: protecting a spectrum of creativity 

Colorifix’s Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Jim Ajioka and Marketing Manager Nora Eslander told us about about their business and the part their IP strategy plays in their sustainability journey. 

Introducing the Leader’s Guide to Accessibility

This leader's guide is for anyone with responsibility for a digital team, product or service. It will help you work out how to build accessibility into your product or service from the start.

Local Nature Recovery Strategies: how nature can help drive improvements for the water environment 

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) are locally led, evidence-based strategies that will help to prioritise and target action and nature investment – to help create a better place.   Whilst nature is at their core, these strategies will drive the …

Combatting antimicrobial resistance through global training

Read how APHA has been actively supporting many Low-and Middle-Income Countries through training via its FAO Reference Centre for AMR.

OPSS 2025 - 2026 Year in Industry Programme

Are you studying Data Science, Computer Science, Economics, Mathematics, English, History, Politics, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Science or Law with the option to undertake a year out in industry to start in September 2025?

Using geospatial data and technology as part of World GIS Day 

Today is the 25th anniversary of World GIS Day, created to celebrate the power of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). GIS is a tool that links data to maps, integrating location data with other descriptive information. It allows people to create …

Young people experiencing homelessness this Christmas

There is media coverage of data from the charity Centrepoint, who estimate almost 23,000 young people could face homelessness across England this Christmas. This has been reported in outlets including the Independent, LBC, Free Radio and the Express and Star. …

How the science of snakebites is taking on superbugs

Patients in British hospitals with serious, antibiotic-resistant gut infections have little in common with snakebite victims overseas. But when scientists made an unlikely connection in 2018, it led to trials for a potential new treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections. In this …

Role models and International Men's Day

November 19 marks International Men’s Day—a day dedicated to celebrating the positive influence of men, their contributions to society, and their roles as fathers, mentors, and leaders. This year’s theme, “Role Models” invites us to explore the powerful impact that …

Strengthening Global Sanctions: Two Years of Enhanced Partnership

In October 2024, representatives from the United Kingdom’s (UK) Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) convened in Washington, DC at our annual technical exchange, marking the second …

People-centred and participatory policymaking 

Policy Lab has a ten-year history of using people-centred and participatory methods in policy. Such approaches help to build evidence, understanding and empathy. Participation and engagement are already part of the Policy Profession Standards, and we are excited to see …

Update for schools and trusts on Procurement Act 2023 - are you ready?

Hannah Mears is a Commercial Lead for Get help buying for schools, the DfE’s free supported buying service for schools and trusts. In this blog post, Hannah updates on the latest advice around the Procurement Act 2023, and how schools can get ready for the new regulations that come in February 2025.

Celebrating 30 years of the National Lottery supporting nature recovery projects

By Adelle Rowe, Natural England Director of External Affairs Today sees the 30th anniversary of the National Lottery and Natural England is reflecting on the transformative role lottery funding has played in projects that protect and restore nature and give …

Why we need Self Care Week

The Self Care Forum believes awareness weeks are vital for encouraging people to make better choices about their health and wellbeing. Chair, Helen Donovan, explains how we can all help make the change...

Statement on farming and agricultural property relief

There has been extensive discussion about the changes to Agricultural Property Relief, announced in the Budget on 30 October. The government inherited a £22 billion hole in the public finances, and we had to make difficult decisions at the Budget …

Our response to the government's social care reform proposals

The Department for Education (DfE) has published a policy paper on its proposals to reform children’s social care. This is a significant opportunity for the government, the sector and Ofsted to better serve the nation’s most vulnerable children. We have …

Into the woods: resilience for the future

Join us for this month's 'Into the woods' blog by Resilience Officer Jon Burgess, who shares how silvicultural techniques used at a woodland in Devon has built resilience against the impacts of climate change.

Monitoring inclusion in the digital identity market

Digital identities should be inclusive and accessible for as many people as possible. At OfDIA,  our aim is that anyone who chooses to use a digital identity is able to do so. To best understand how we can achieve this, …

Join the fight against flu by taking part in our citizen science project

Our scientists are tracking flu and other respiratory viruses and they need your help. Join our FluSurvey system and contribute directly to flu surveillance this winter. This UK-wide citizen science programme has now started, but there is still plenty of …

Four steps to success: tips for candidates applying to the Civil Service

Applying for a role within the Civil Service can be a competitive process, but with the right approach, you will increase your chances of success.  Whether you’re a recent graduate, looking for a new job or even a career change, …

Keeping a close eye on your property helps us prevent potential fraud

Awareness of property and title fraud, and how to guard against them, is vital in supporting not only our own frontline defences but also the wider public and business sectors.

It’s time for a new ONS website platform

Martin O'Brian, Deputy Director Digital Delivery, provides an update on the work to deliver a new platform and content for ONS.GOV.UK

Enabling Technologies Programme: Advanced and Novel Space Instruments

The UK Space Agency's Enabling Technologies Programme is helping push the frontiers of instrumentation in space science, engineering and applications.

Inspectors tackling wildlife crime

By Samantha Johnson-Roberts, Natural England Wildlife Inspector Background There aren't many jobs that combine tackling crime with protecting species like dormice and otters, but here at Natural England there are 46 of us and I'm lucky enough to be one …

How the National Education Nature Park is helping young people restore and support nature

To mark the COP29 conference, the Defra Environment blog team will share nature stories throughout the week, starting with a post about the National Education Nature Park.

Public Consultation on the International Council for Harmonisation ICH E6 (R3) Guideline for Good Clinical Practice Annex-2

As a GCP Inspector at the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), I thought it would be useful to inform you that Annex 2 of the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) E6 Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Guideline has …

Planet hunting and meteor spotting: the night sky in November 2024

November is a great month to see the planets of our Solar System, meteor showers, and the Andromeda Galaxy.

Changes to sanctions legislation introduced through the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2024 

On 14 November 2024, the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2024 was laid in Parliament. This instrument introduces the following changes to sanctions legislation:  Taken together, these changes will collectively improve the ability of HM Treasury’s Office of …

Response to reporting on council tax

There has been speculation and media coverage on upcoming levels of council tax. The government has confirmed it will be continuing the previous government’s policy of a core council tax cap of 3%, and an additional 2% for local authorities …

A consistent approach to Pupil Premium to improve outcomes for all

Headteacher Jamie Whiteside and pupil premium lead Hannah Smith tell us how they use pupil premium funding to improve outcomes for all pupils at St Clare’s.  

What happened at a canal in Uxbridge?

With deaths of wild swans increasing over part of the Grand Union canal in Uxbridge with no obvious cause, thoughts turned to a disease that is notoriously difficult to identify. Read more about how our Veterinary Investigation Officers uncovered the cause of these mysterious deaths.

Responding to operational pressures   

The criminal justice system has been under pressure for some time, but with early preparation and the increased use of video technology, our resilient court system kept justice moving, even in the most challenging circumstances.

How can we test our designs with Welsh-speaking users?

How to add a Welsh language toggle to your prototypes so you can better test with Welsh users.

Flashy crabs turn up in Brighton!

A colourful crab with white and orange claws and blue legs recently turned up (dead) in Brighton in the summer. After a second one was found this October (alive), the alarm was raised. These pretty, but out of place crabs …

RPC publishes Corporate Report for 2023-24

We have today published the RPC Corporate Report for 2023-24. The report summarises trends in our opinions on Impact Assessments (IAs) and Post Implementation Reviews (PIRs). It highlights a decline in the quality of analysis by government departments – with only 59% …

Online consultation events, factsheets and video now available

Book your place on one of our online consultation events- If you can’t make one of our in-person events, this is your chance to give your feedback of the five FMPs being consulted on.

Factsheets and an overview video are now available for these five FMPs - find them on this blog post!

We are simplifying the registration of personal covenants 

We are standardising references to personal covenants, with documents available for immediate download via the portal.