GOV.UK blogs

Digital accessibility - working together to break down barriers

On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, 18 May 2023, visually impaired civil servant Ben Merrick shares the importance of inclusion at work. Global Accessibility Awareness Day was established 12 years ago to get everyone talking about digital access and inclusion. As …

Media coverage following the UK Farm to Fork Summit

There has been widespread coverage, including in The Daily Mail, The Independent and The Daily Telegraph, following the UK Farm to Fork Summit hosted by the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Downing Street yesterday (16 May). The event was also …

National Numeracy Day 2023: What we’re doing to support children, young people and adults with maths

Studying maths provides people with the life skills they need to thrive, from managing personal finances to boosting their career prospects. Adults with good numeracy skills are also more likely to be employed and earn higher wages. Despite this, more …

Marine licences approved to benefit communities across England

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has issued a number of environmental, economic and socially important marine licences in the last few months as part of its role as England‘s regulator for marine licensable activities. Each marine licence application is carefully …

Coverage on Ofwat’s £11 million funding announcement

Today, we are looking at coverage following Ofwat’s announcement that their funding capacity will be bolstered by £11 million in additional funding from HMT.

Site evaluation studies in Mid Copeland – interview with the Siting Manager

Nuclear Waste Services has started its initial investigations to begin to understand the suitability of hosting a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) in Mid Copland. The desk-based studies will look at the feasibility of delivering a surface facility connected to the …

Major Conditions Strategy: What you need to know

The government has launched a call for evidence to inform its landmark Major Conditions Strategy to tackle the main causes of ill-health, ensure care is patient-focused and relieve stress on the health and care system. This call for evidence seeks views …

Workplace adjustments - how we can support colleagues with health conditions

We spoke to Therese about her experience of work place adjustments and how a supportive line manager and working culture have made it easier for her to work despite wide ranging health problems.

Reflections on a Royal Coronation

I was hugely honoured to be asked to represent IfATE at the King’s coronation. As IfATE is the employer voice for skills, it was so nice for apprenticeships and technical education to be celebrated in this way.  It’d been a …

Foster care fortnight 2023: 5 reasons why you should consider becoming a foster carer

Foster carers support thousands of children around the country, providing them with a stable and loving home in times of need. While becoming a foster carer is a big decision which requires dedication and commitment, it can be a hugely …

The Commissioner discusses the new era for live facial recognition after the Coronation

Amid all the traditional pomp and ceremony for which we are known around the world the recent coronation of King Charles III provided a glimpse into the future of policing, not just in this country, but globally. While an estimated global …

UK NSC sponsors new research into use of AI in breast screening

Researchers are being invited to apply to lead a prospective evaluation study on the use of artificial intelligence in breast screening.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023: Karen's story

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023: My anxiety story In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week and this year’s theme being anxiety, we caught up with Karen, a mental health supporter to find out more about her struggles with mental health, …

GaraDry® recognised with the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise

Lancashire-based product design company, GaraDry Ltd, celebrates after achieving the King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade, following the official announcement on Friday 21st April 2023. The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the highest accolade UK businesses, being approved by …

Helping people to navigate the justice system and access the support they need

Head of User Inclusion and Engagement, Miriam Davidson, explains our signposting strategy to help people access the support they need.

Showcasing UK seabed mapping to British maritime community

Was there a more fitting venue for the UK Centre of Seabed Mapping (UK CSM) showcase event than at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the beating heart of the global shipping industry? Clearly not, as anyone who joined us and …

Addressing fuel poverty and the importance of understanding your client

Frankie Rushton, Project Delivery Adviser at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), shares her thoughts following a site visit to Coventry, to see the Social Housing Decarbonisation Wave 1 projects in development delivered by DESNZ. The UK has some of …

Join the CMA’s Digital Markets Unit

Are you excited about the potential offered by digital technologies and interested in making a real difference for people and businesses? Joining the CMA’s Digital Markets Unit offers you the opportunity to scrutinise digital markets and shape the future of …

When you might need a lasting power of attorney

[English] - [Cymraeg] To mark dementia action, mental health, and action for brain injury awareness weeks, we look at three scenarios when a lasting power of attorney (LPA) might be helpful. An LPA makes it easier for the people you …

Mental Health Awareness Week: reflections on the role of adult social work

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, which this year takes a theme we can all relate to: anxiety (#ToHelpMyAnxiety). It's not only a chance to shine a light on our psychological wellbeing (and how to maintain it) but also take stock on mental health service provision and the evolution of societal attitudes to an issue which affects us all.

Children & Nature Programme: the importance of integrating time spent in nature at school

Across government, we share an aspiration to create healthy, happy societies. One mechanism for achieving this is by improving the connection people have with nature, which provides better mental and physical health. For children, the effects are more profound, with …

UKHSA Science Strategy: A vision for how science can secure health and prosperity

At UKHSA science powers everything we do so I’m delighted to announce the publication of a new science strategy setting out how we will harness the power of our science to secure health and prosperity over the next decade. The strategy highlights how UKHSA’s science can save more lives, secure major public health victories and contribute to the UK as a global science superpower.

Data apprenticeships at the Office for National Statistics

Our 2023 intake of Data Apprentices has just gone live and it's a hugely exciting opportunity to kickstart a career in the data profession. We ask Jacob what it's like to be a data apprentice at the ONS.

What’s it really like working as a prison officer?

Thinking of applying to be a prison officer, but not sure if it’s for you? Our interactive online activity will give you more of an insight into the role. What's it like working as a prison officer? Working as a …

Bathing water season for 2023 officially begins

5. The blog is an overall summary to explain what the bathing water season is, how and why the Environment Agency takes water samples, an explanation of the pollution risk forecasting service and the new bathing water designation sites.

Foster Care Fortnight 2023

As we begin another Foster Care Fortnight, I want to again offer our rightful appreciation to the people providing incredible yet often unremarked-on foster care to tens of thousands of children every year.

Fostering a child is an incredibly generous and selfless thing to do even in the best of circumstances. But in the tough context we currently live in, it is a remarkable act.

Designing a new career path

We are four early-career designers at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). We’ve developed a buddy group to support each other, building on the wider support we’ve received from others in the MoJ user-centred design community. We’ll be talking more about …

Learn while you earn through a DWP Digital apprenticeship

Sophie recently took on an apprenticeship here at DWP Digital. Find out how she learns while she earns this Learning at Work Week.

A new job can be scary, talking about your anxiety shouldn’t be

Starting a new job can be daunting at the best of times, but for someone living with anxiety this can be even harder. Civil Service recruit Alex Lennie talks about the importance of being able to talk openly to her …

One year on: 7 things we’ve learnt about mpox

One year on from the mpox outbreak, this blog reflects on 7 things we have learned.

Covid vaccine: Book your jab before NHS offer ends

The offer of a free NHS Covid vaccine ends for the majority of people on Friday 30 June. If you have yet to come forward for a first dose of a vaccine, you are encouraged to do so to protect …

What can be done to tackle Invasive Non-Native Species?

The annual Invasive Species Week is taking place between the 15th and 21st May 2023, led by the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS) with many organisations taking the opportunity to raise awareness of the issues and work that is being …

Delinked payments guidance updates

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has published updates to the guidance for delinked payments on GOV.UK.   For an overview of what delinked payments are and how to apply for them, you can read this introduction to delinked payments. We originally …

Understanding biosecurity

Our recent survey of 2,000 people, led by Forest Research and OnePoll, looks at people's experiences of the countryside and green spaces in England. It explores their understanding of pests and diseases and ways to limit the spread.

Delinked Payments: updated guidance

We recently updated the guidance for delinked payments on GOV.UK. The guidance sets out whether you’re eligible for delinked payments, how they’re calculated and when you’ll receive them. In this post, I’ll provide an overview and links for you to find out more.

Hertfordshire County Council: key local achievements of the Supporting Families Programme

The Supporting Families Programme is based on the principle of a whole family approach, providing support to all members of the family, including children, parents and grandparents. The programme’s holistic approach helps families to address and overcome multiple challenges they …

International Nurses Day: celebrating our values, strengths and ambition

This month sees the annual celebration of International Nurses Day on 12 May, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. In difficult and uncertain times, celebrating social care nursing's amazing contribution to the health and wellbeing of our communities is more important than ever.

Learn new skills by signing up to GSE Science and Engineering courses

The new GSE Courses have now launched.   Access the courses   Civil servants can access the courses using these links:   Civil Service Learning: Understanding and Accessing Science and Engineering Advice    Civil Service Learning: Communicating Science and Engineering Advice Crown, public …

Digital Assurance – making digital services better 

Being an Assurance Manager means being at the heart of every digital activity in the department, learn more about the role.

FSA update to stakeholders on imports

FSA Chair Professor Susan Jebb shares news on the government’s recent publication of the draft Border Target Operating Model (BTOM).