7288posts
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Apprenticeship Week: Developing the Skills for Nature’s Recovery
To celebrate Apprenticeship Week 2025, Ecologist Apprentice, Annalise Machin, shares her apprenticeship journey with Natural England, highlighting the impact her developing skills will have for nature’s recovery. I have always had an interest in in the natural world, loving the …
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What are apprenticeships? Everything you need to know and how you can apply
Apprenticeships are a great way to start a new career or learn new skills relevant to your job. They are brilliant options for people at every age to train in a huge range of sectors – from health and science to cybersecurity, marketing, and construction.
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Digital Planning: scaling the Planning Data service
Go behind the scenes of MHCLG's planning data success as Emma Beer, delivery lead, and Steve Messer, product and design strategist, reveal the strategic approach that has powered the service's exceptional growth last year. They share insights into building a high-performing team and the transformative impact of data sharing across the planning sector.
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NHSE Digitising Social Care Beta Assessment
From: DHSCAssessment Date: 13/07/2023 Stage: BetaResult: MetService Provider: NHS England Service description A trusted, government funded, CARE branded site built specifically to provide guidance, advice and support to, and engage with the adult social care sector on digital and tech. The service …
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Helping nature to recover and thrive in the Wye Valley in Derbyshire
Ruth Keeley, Wye Valley Nature Recovery Project Senior Officer Back in 2022, Natural England and Defra announced five unique Nature Recovery Projects (NRP) across the Peak District, West Midlands, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Somerset. Since then, a further seven projects have …
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From Summons to Service: Your Complete Guide to Jury Duty
Have you ever wondered how you get selected to sit on a jury and what happens once you are chosen? Join us as we chat to Craig Robb, Deputy Director of Crime (Live Services) at HMCTS, who sheds light on the jury selection process, the importance of jury service, and what to expect when you're called to serve.
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Welcome to the Department for Education’s new non-executive board members
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced four new non-executive members. The appointments bring a wealth of skills and experience to the department as we take forward our vital work - from giving the best start in life to our …
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We asked our Apprentice Panel for their favourite things about gaining #SkillsForLife as an apprentice
In the run up to National Apprenticeship Week 2025, we asked the IfATE Panel of Apprentices for their favourite things about being an apprentice. The apprentice panel brings together apprentices from a wide range of backgrounds, across all 15 of …
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'Being a part of our long-term mission opens up so many career possibilities'
Jacqueline Longrigg, our Group People Development Director, on how we are investing in early careers - and how you can be part of our mission: This year marks 20 years since the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority was established and tasked with …
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Severn Estuary Implementation Session: Advancing Cross-Border Marine Planning
In November 2024, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Welsh Government co-hosted an event in Cardiff to support cross-border marine planning in the Severn Estuary. This stakeholder engagement session, following the publication of our Severn Estuary Cross Border Marine Planning …
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Explainer: devolution and local elections
What is devolution and what will it mean? Devolution is about giving power back to communities – shifting away from Westminster to the local leaders that know their areas best and giving them the tools to make a difference to …
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Coverage of Land Use Framework consultation
Today we’re looking at coverage of the government’s announcement on the Land Use Framework consultation
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Launchpad Auth is now live
What is Launchpad Auth? First of all, what is Launchpad? In brief, Launchpad is an innovative HMPPS in-cell tech programme that gives prisoners secure laptops with digital services in their cells to support their rehabilitation. Many teams work within this …
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National Apprenticeship Week 2025: Why I completed a technical apprenticeship in my 30s
Many people think apprenticeships are just for young people but that is not true. I have just completed an HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) service and maintenance apprenticeship, which was the perfect opportunity to learn a new, in-demand skill in an …
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New opportunities to reclassify medicines: what you need to know
The Department of Health and Social Care is issuing a list of medical conditions and categories where it is encouraging more reclassification applications to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). What is medicine reclassification? Medicines can be reclassified …
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Coverage of the Government’s record investment to protect UK homes and businesses from flooding
There has been widespread media coverage after the Government announced a record £2.65 billion investment to protect thousands of UK homes and businesses. Publications including the Financial Times, The Daily Mirror, Bloomberg, The Express, BBC, The Guardian among others covered …
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Local Nature Recovery Strategies: have your say
Farmers, growers and land managers play a vital role in tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and food security. Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) will help focus these efforts by setting out where and how to take action for nature. With 48 strategies covering the whole of England, there’s still time to shape your local plan. In this post, we'll give an overview and explain how to get involved.
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Highlight of the Marine Plan User Training Sessions
Under Section 58 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, all public authorities making decisions that affect, or might affect, the UK marine area must consider the relevant marine plan. In response to this, between 12 November and 12 …
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The Habitat Target: creating and restoring habitats across England
The Government is working towards meeting the legally binding biodiversity target to restore or create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042 in England. Read this post to find out what action the Government is taking to achieve this target.
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How the Environment Agency is assessing new nuclear power station designs
As the UK government takes forward its plans for a low carbon future, the regulators of the nuclear industry, the Environment Agency, Office for Nuclear Regulation and Natural Resources Wales are currently assessing three new nuclear reactor designs. Teams of …
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National Apprenticeship Week 2025: A world of numbers in Group Finance
Starting my apprenticeship in Group Finance at 16 years old was a unique experience - especially as I found myself among colleagues who were much older and more experienced. While my friends were heading off to university, I was diving …
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Three churrs for the heathland bird survey
By Alison Giacomelli, Senior Specialist – Ornithology, Natural England Heathlands are home to the eerie sound of churring Nightjars, sweet melody of singing Woodlarks and the rattling song of Dartford Warblers. This year teams of volunteers and fieldworkers will be …
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Coverage on Tackling Islamophobia
There has been media coverage today following a report in the Telegraph speculating on the government’s approach to tackling anti-Muslim hatred. The government is firmly committed to tackling all forms of hatred and division, including the unacceptable rise in anti-Muslim …
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National Apprenticeship Week 2025: My apprenticeship journey
Daniel Charles Smith – Assistant Scientist After a ten-year career in the aviation industry, I decided that it was time to follow my passion in science. Aside from wanting to do something that made an impact, I didn’t have specific …
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Guest blog: Showcasing successful onsite Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) project management
In the run up to the first anniversary (12 February) of the introduction of BNG as a mandatory approach to development, making BNG a statutory requirement in all (non-exempt) Town and Country Planning Act applications we invited two open space …
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What it’s like to be a user researcher at MHCLG Digital
User researcher James joined MHCLG Digital just over a year ago, following a few years in the private sector. He shares his journey on the Homes for Ukraine programme, and how user research and starting with the needs of the users is shaping MHCLG products and services, creating a real impact for citizens, and more broadly transforming policy and service design.
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10 digital accessibility mistakes to avoid
A list of common mistakes and simple fixes when designing and developing accessible websites and apps.
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How we’re combating fraud and error within the MOT
As part of our ongoing strategy to combat fraudulent MOTs and improve testing accuracy, we are trailing a new feature that captures vehicle images during the test.
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Science and FMPs event: progress made and exploring the future
Defra is hosting a hybrid event on 18 March to explore the role of science, research and collaboration for FMPs. Register your place to get involved.
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The importance of diversity when developing high quality advice
I joined the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) in January 2025 and it is an extremely rewarding role. We get involved in many aspects of the welfare system, not just scrutinising secondary legislation but receiving updates on various aspects of …
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Update on Environment Agency investigation
Work continues on our largest ever criminal investigation, to date, into potential breaches of environmental permit conditions by all water and sewerage companies discharging into English waters. The extent of potential non-compliance involves more than 2,200 wastewater treatment works. To …
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Green Infrastructure: the catalyst for Urban Greening
It’s two years since Natural England launched the Green Infrastructure (GI) Framework to support the creation of good quality Green Infrastructure. It’s well documented that we need to build a more sustainable future, and at the forefront of this movement …
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A year on since the XL Bully ban
This week marks a year since the ban on XL Bullies came into effect, making it illegal to own an XL Bully in England and Wales unless it has been registered and complies with strict rules, including being neutered and …
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'LUF-t off' for a more strategic approach to growth and Nature
By Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England As the country seeks long-term solutions to our most pressing problems – how to build much-needed homes and infrastructure, safeguard food production and halt and reverse the decline of Nature – we …
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Rolling out simpler ways to navigate GOV.UK’s topic pages
We’ve made improvements to GOV.UK’s topic pages. Here’s what we’ve done and the positive impact it’s making for users.
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NHSBSA/NHSE - NHS Volunteering -Alpha assessment
From: NHSBSA on behalf of NHS EnglandAssessment date: 15th December 2022Stage: AlphaResult: MetService provider: DHSC Service description The service provides a central place to find and apply for volunteering opportunities within the NHS. It is designed for people who recruit volunteers within the NHS or from Voluntary …
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How I became a Trainee Software Engineer in just 4 steps!
One of our digital advocates, Kloe Chaplin, shares her journey to becoming a Trainee Software Engineer at DVLA.
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How APHA is protecting online plant buyers
An increase in online plant sales has brought an increased threat of plant pests and diseases. Dan Munro, Senior Technical Manager for Plant Passporting at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), explains what APHA, as part of the United Kingdom (UK) Plant Health Service, is doing to reduce these risks.
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Targeted Lung Health Check Programme renamed the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme
From 1 February 2025, the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) Programme will be known as the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme.
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Introducing the deposit return scheme for drinks containers
This week, the Government pledged to end the throwaway society and clean up Britain; as it implements legislation for the deposit return scheme for drinks containers in England and Northern Ireland.
Read our post to find out more.