GOV.UK blogs

How to be an LGBTQ+ ally all year round

A lot of our diverse communities have different points in the year where things are celebrated, whether that's faith around a religious holiday, history or reflective months. Whilst that can be used as an opportunity to really show that a senior leader and the senior leadership team are really behind the community – this needs to leak out over the rest of the year.

We spoke to Mike about how to be an LGBTQ+ ally all year round.

British Science Week | Meet Sarah Wallace

To celebrate British Science Week, we sat down with members of the UKStratCom Climate Change and Sustainability Team (CC&S) to learn a little more about their career, their motivations for working in CC&S, and the importance of understanding our connection …

Working with European partners to reduce the risk of pathogens entering the food chain

Learn how our scientists joined forces with experts in 12 European countries to reduce the spread of Salmonella and hepatitis E virus in pigs and their work to help limit the risk to public health.

Celebrating neurodiverse superpowers

This month will be all about celebrating those with neurodiverse superpowers. This will be an opportunity to champion our own neurodiverse talent at GDS and find out how we can work together to leverage it and at the same time level up for everyone in the organisation.

The CCE hosts international conference focused on extremism across Europe

Earlier this month, the Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) hosted a conference on counterterrorism and counter-extremism threats facing Europe. The keynote speech was delivered by the Home Secretary, Rt Hon. Suella Braverman KC MP, who discussed the recent publication of …

Major strategy milestone achieved as flood warning service expands to 110,000 more homes and businesses

Flood warnings are now available for 110,000 additional homes and businesses following a major effort to ensure all properties at high risk of flooding can receive them. Many properties previously considered too remote, rural, or difficult to warn of flooding, …

Respecting the coarse fish close season and why we enforce it

Kye Jerrom, Senior Advisor for Fisheries Enforcement and Engagement, looks back on a year of Environment Agency fisheries enforcement and shares why the coarse fishing close season is vital in protecting fish stocks.

Young Carers Action Day - 15 March 2023

Rebecca Sudworth, Deputy Civil Service Carers’ Lead, talks about the experiences of Civil Service young carers  Today is Young Carers Action Day. This year’s theme is Make Time for Young Carers. Many young carers don’t necessarily think of themselves as carers. …

Make time for young carers

Young Carers Action Day aims to shine a light on the pressures and challenges young carers up to the age of 25 face on a daily basis. The UK-wide campaign is designed to raise public awareness of the incredible contribution they make to society. A mix of local and national initiatives are taking place across the country to help their voices be heard, as Carers Trust's Andy McGowan explains...

Coverage of new microchipping rules for cats

There has been coverage today in the Daily Express (p2), Mail Online, Independent, LBC Online, Vet Times and Yorkshire Post (p9) on the introduction of compulsory cat microchipping. To mark the launch, Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey visited Battersea Dogs and …

Nature on Dartmoor

Reflections from Wes Smyth, Natural England’s Area Manager on how we ensure Dartmoor’s unique wildlife is preserved for future generations. Dartmoor is special, a working landscape with wide open moorland framed by steep intimate wooded valleys and a pastoral moorland …

Benefits of a collaborative approach

Blake Morgan LLP has one of the lowest avoidable requisition rates in the sector. Find out how we work together to ensure its often highly complex cases are processed as smoothly and easily as possible.

Window opens for Countryside and Environmental Stewardship revenue claims

You can now submit 2023 revenue claims for CS and ES agreements.  Starting from this year, we’ve made the way you submit your CS revenue claim online more straightforward. An annual declaration will be available in the Rural Payments service …

Window opens for Basic Payment Scheme applications

You can now submit your 2023 BPS applications to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).   Everything you’ll need to apply for BPS this year is now available on GOV.UK including the Basic Payment Scheme rules for 2023: Basic Payment Scheme 2023 …

Collaborative learning: closer ties with academia

GDS x Imperial University Collaboration 2022 Collaboration and innovation are some of the key tenets of the Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) profession. The Cabinet Office offers many avenues for productive collaboration, enabling internal and external partners to develop both …

National Institute for Health and Care Research Health Protection Research Units: Where research meets real life

Throughout British Science Week we are exploring this year’s theme of ‘connections’ by showcasing some of the vital partnerships that underpin UKHSA’s work. In this blog we look at our partnerships with academia through the National Institute for Health and Care (NIHR) Health Protection Research Units (HPRUs).

British Science Week - a day in the life of an FSA scientist

"There is a place in science for everybody!" Find out about what drove Dr Erica Kintz, Dr Sophie Hardy, and Mike Dickinson to careers in science and what they get up to in their day jobs at the Food Standards Agency.

British Science Week | Meet Jonathan Slessor

To celebrate British Science Week, we sat down with members of the UKStratCom Climate Change and Sustainability Team (CC&S) to learn a little more about their careers, their motivations for working in CC&S, and the importance of understanding our connection …

How Cefas science is supporting sustainable fisheries management in the High Seas

The High Seas are areas of the ocean beyond any country's territorial control and make up almost two thirds of the world’s oceans. These areas are at a greater risk of exploitation as countries are able to move, fish and …

How we're working to transform government services

Find out how the Central Digital and Data Office are collaborating across government to define and deliver great services.

Services Week 2023

Services Week returns next week 20 to 24 March 2023. It’s an annual cross-organisational event series focused on improving public services. The theme for this year is Designing for Uncertain Times.

Coverage following Wild Isles documentary

Today, we are looking at coverage following the airing of the first episode of BBC Wild Isles.

Nursing associate stories: a journey of personal discovery

Student Nursing Associate, Mercy Sharp, 52, was born in the Philippines and moved to England in 2007. She has worked at Royal Star & Garter in High Wycombe, since the care home opened in 2019. She is nearing the end of her nursing associate course, which she began in 2020. Royal Star & Garter is a charity providing compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia.

Empowering young people with science information that can protect the nation’s health

This year’s British Science Week theme is “connections” and throughout the week we’re looking at how UKHSA science is carried out in partnership with a wide range of organisations. In this blog UKHSA’s Donna Lecky and Brieze Read discuss partnering with schools through our e-Bug programme which educates young people on infection, prevention and control and how to prevent antimicrobial resistance.

National Protective Security Authority begins work

A new body has been created to help the UK combat national security threats. State-sponsored attempts at stealing sensitive research and information can undermine UK businesses and harm our country’s competitiveness on the world stage. As part of the Integrated Review …

Reflections on the shared commitment to public involvement

I remember first hearing about the shared commitment to public involvement when it was announced. I was working in a research department of a hospital, experiencing first-hand how people’s lived experience could drive more inclusive and meaningful health and social …

Using scenario building to think through options for your service or policy

In this blog post Serena outlines how you can use scenario building workshops to understand the consequences of design decisions and imagine different futures

The art of applying to the Civil Service

Sharing some tips on how to apply for a job in the Civil Service, hopefully helping you apply for some of the fantastic opportunities we have available.

Coverage on His Majesty The King’s visit to Weybridge

There has been positive coverage in the Daily Express (p.9), on BBC Online, the Evening Standard, The Independent and Express and Star following His Majesty The King’s visit to the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) in Weybridge.

Working to reduce pollution from farming

The Environment Agency has recruited and trained 84 new Agricultural Regulatory Inspection Officers to carry out advice-led regulation on farms. The officers complement the existing Land and Water officers who already regulate agriculture.

Science partnerships can secure health and prosperity

This year’s British Science Week theme is “connections” and throughout the week we’re highlighting how UKHSA science is carried out in partnership with a wide range of organisations. In this blog UKHSA Chief Scientific Officer Isabel Oliver looks at how these partnerships can benefit both health and society.  

National Careers Week: accounting pathway apprentices

6th-11th March is National Careers Week. The week is a celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK. Apprenticeships are one way to kickstart a career, including in the legal, finance and accounting route. There are …

Secure training centres – introducing assurance inspections

From April 2023, we will be carrying out annual assurance inspections of secure training centres (STCs). These will be in addition to the full annual inspections we do with Care Quality Commission and His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons. Since 2016, …

Migration and refugee crisis: charities can model a better kind of discourse

One of the hallmarks of our free and democratic society is the space it grants individuals and organisations to speak out on behalf of those in need. Quite rightly, this role often falls to charities. Our charities have a long …

Social care's digital future: the journey has begun

Moving from paper-based to digital systems can be daunting and this is no less true for the social care sector . With so much information out there it’s hard to know where to start. Breaking it down into manageable stages is the best approach, as Alison Ainsworth, Deputy Director for Social Care Technology Policy in DHSC, explains...

British Science Week 2023 and connections across Government

We're celebrating British Science Week and this year's theme is 'connections'. We are kicking things off with our Chief Scientific Advisor, Robin May, discussing how he connects us to other Government departments.

Dragons’ Den, Episode 10 Series 20

Brave pitches, innovative ideas and fierce questioning - a staple of any Dragons’ Den episode, but particularly clear this week.

What you need to know about the Species Recovery Programme Capital Grant scheme

Update: From 3rd April 2023, applications will be made through the Atamis platform. Applicants must register to the Atamis platform before an application can be made. For further information and application see the Atamis landing page: Welcome (force.com) The SRPCGS …

Policy design’s big year

Head of UK Government's Policy Design Community, Andrew Knight, sets out what's been achieved over the past year and the exciting work planned for next year.

Six months in the life of Head of Product at the Office for National Statistics

Sarah Brazier reflects on the last six months in the role of Head of Product at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and shares what she’s focussed on what she’s planning to do next.