7362posts
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Raising professional standards for motorcycle instructor training
Mark Winn, Chief Driving Examiner and Head of Rider Policy, discusses the changes being made to motorcycle instructor assessment and authorisation. This is to raise the standards of instruction, to ensure motorcyclists in Great Britain have access to safe, high quality training when they are learning to ride, both for the first time and after they’ve passed their first test.
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How to write a strong Knowledge Asset Grant Fund application
On 20 February we launched the latest round of the Knowledge Asset Grant Fund (KAGF). The fund has been set up by the Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT) to help the UK civil service make the most of is …
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Fruit and vegetable supply
Government response to recent reporting on fruit and vegetable supply.
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Defra announces further support for farmers at NFU conference
Both Defra Secretary of State Thérèse Coffey and Farming Minister Mark Spencer have addressed the National Farmers Union’s conference this week, during which they made a number of announcements to support farmers with sustainable food production. On Tuesday 21 February, …
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Coverage of Sir James Bevan’s speech: ‘Reflections on water: the good, the bad and the future’
Coverage of Sir James Bevan’s final speech on water as the outgoing Chief Executive of the Environment Agency.
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Data and the drive to transform social care
Data is fundamental to achieving good quality, person-centred care and has the power to transform its delivery. Michelle Dyson, Director General for Social Care at the Department of Health and Social Care, explains its importance and how you can help transform services through information, evidence and collaboration.
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What sustainability means to me
In the first instalment of our new Sustainability Heroes series, Simone Burke shares her motivations for trying to enjoy a more sustainable life, along with insights into some of the changes she’s made on her journey.
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What landowners can do now to gear up for the biodiversity net gain market
By Mike Burke, Programme Director – Sustainable Development If you’re a landowner, biodiversity net gain might be a new concept or a familiar one you’ve read about. It’s both an opportunity to move towards nature positive outcomes and contribute to …
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Why you need to make your maps accessible
Mapping is an important tool for service designers, but we can often create complicated, inaccessible maps. Hannah Jump outlines why it is important that your maps are accessible, how this will help you, and how to do it.
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What you need to know about Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs)
It is important to know that if you are experiencing problem debt, the first step is to find out what solution is right for you, and that the government provides free debt advice to support you. One solution to dealing …
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Coverage on enforcement action surrounding pollution from agriculture
There has been coverage in The Times – as part of its Clean It Up campaign - relating to the Environment Agency and enforcement action around the Farming Rules for Water regulations. These regulations cover how manure can be spread …
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Podcast – Think digital, act human: improving equity in the workplace
Ever thought about how you or your employer can improve equity in the workplace? Listen to our host, Adaobi Ifeachor, speak to our guest, Clara Greo, about practical things that can be done to level the playing field.
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Setting up major projects for success: A site visit to Sellafield
Vishal Shethwood, Project Delivery Advisor at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), shares his thoughts on the importance of front-end loading as he visits one of Sellafield’s projects on the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP). Dealing with UK’s nuclear legacy …
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Introducing Animal Health and Welfare grants
Now that the Annual Health and Welfare Review is open, I’d like to share more about the next step on the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway: Animal Health and Welfare grants.
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Productivity and Slurry grants: time to apply
A few weeks ago, I blogged about the latest round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. In my post, I gave an overview of the fund. I explained that it is made up of 2 themes. One theme is Productivity and Slurry. The other theme is Animal Health and Welfare. I’m pleased to say that you can now apply for a grant under the Productivity and Slurry theme.
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Our record on farming: 30 actions we have taken to support our farmers and growers
We are re-investing £2.4 billion per year in the sector through new farming schemes Provided farmers with extensive detail on the ELMs scheme, ensuring there is something for every farmer including uplands and tenants. Accelerated the rollout of the Sustainable …
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Shaping the Data Marketplace through User Research
As part of the 2022-2025 roadmap for digital and data, the Central Digital and Data Office is working on developing a Data Marketplace for departments.
We’re taking a user-centred approach to this work, focusing on the needs of those civil servants who use data in their roles, whether that’s for operational or analytical purposes. Read more about CDDO’s ambitious user research, three-stranded, programme: discover data; design a data share; and deliver data consistently. -
Companies House is hiring commercial professionals
Companies House is hiring commercial professionals to join us in Cardiff. You’ll help us deliver digital transformation and legislative reform. It’s an exciting time to be working in the commercial profession, and we’d love you to come and join us.
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Protecting nature through our enforcement work – latest data published
By Stephanie Bird-Halton, National Delivery Director. At Natural England our mission is to build partnerships for nature’s recovery, which is reflected in our work with a wide range of people to rebuild sustainable ecosystems and protect and restore habitats, species, …
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HM Land Registry wants your views
Our quarterly customer satisfaction surveys in conjunction with Ipsos are your opportunity to have your say, rate our service and give us your views to help us focus our efforts where you think they are needed most. Our latest fieldwork begins on Tuesday 21 February and runs until Sunday 19 March.
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Storm overflow actions plans
On Monday 20th February, the Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey set out a clear ask for all water companies in England to share their plans on improving Britain’s water infrastructure. As part of a drive for better water quality, every water …
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Supporting the training of Ukrainian forces on the UK Defence Training Estate
This week marks the one-year anniversary of the illegal and unprovoked full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. As part of the international effort to support Ukraine, a programme of operational training of Ukrainian forces, supported by both UK and partner nations …
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Become a content designer in Defra’s future farming team
Defra is recruiting content designers for its future farming programme. Sue Agnew, Jenn Brookbanks and Tom Metcalf recently joined the team. Read about their experience of the content design role and what they enjoy about it, to help you decide if this role is right for you.
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NHS Fraud - media fact sheet
This fact sheet sets out the Department of Health and Social Care’s response to claims that the NHS has lost £7.5bn to fraud in the last six years. Statement from 17 February 2023 A government spokesperson said: “These claims are …
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Climate and environment review of 2022
In this blog we look at the impact of global climate change. In 2022 we saw devastating floods impacting an estimated 33 million people in Pakistan, wildfires causing destruction across Europe, and temperatures in the UK reaching more than 40°C.
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Nursing associate stories: challenging myself to deliver better care
Chelsea Batchelier, 25, joined Royal Star and Garter at the start of lockdown. She has just begun her student nursing associate (SNA) course and is looking forward to what the next two years have in store. "I wanted to challenge myself, because I’ve always had a passion for caring for people."
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Funding scheme opens in support of nuclear test veterans
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs has made £200,000 available to organisations to bid for in support of nuclear test veterans. Organisations will be able to bid for up to £70,000 each to run community-led programmes that help to recognise and …
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New Forest Pannage Ham receives GI status
New Forest Pannage Ham has been registered as a protected food under the UKGI scheme.
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Join our Science Advisory Committees in 2023
We're looking for new members to join our Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs). This year, for the first time, we are looking for both full members and associate members. The latter category is specifically aimed at early and mid-career researchers.
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Forestry Apprenticeship: Your questions answered
During National Apprenticeship Week (6 to 12 February), we held a live #AskAnApprentice Twitter Q&A to give you the opportunity to ask our panel of experts about our Forestry Apprenticeship.
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Introducing MOD.UK Frontend and the Design Library
We’re proud to launch 2 products that will help the Ministry of Defence (MOD) create consistent digital products and services. As the product manager on the Frontend team, I can’t wait to see designers and developers use MOD.UK Frontend and …
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Dragons’ Den, Series 20 Episode 7
Tonight’s booming episode of Dragons’ Den was as productive as it gets! Various deals were shared around the Den, offered by free-handed investors and rejected by wary, self-assured entrepreneurs.
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Gamekeeper sentenced for raptor persecution illustrates wider problem of wildlife poisonings
By Stephanie Bird-Halton, National Delivery Director. Today, Paul Allen, a gamekeeper working on the Shaftesbury Estate in Dorset, was sentenced for offences of possession of dead buzzards, keeping of banned pesticides and failing to comply with conditions of shotgun and …
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Social Security Advisory Committee: a unique and valuable body
Prior to my appointment to the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC), my work at the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group was primarily focused on tax and tax credits. At that time, I had developed a special interest in the tax …
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The new driver services platform: the work done so far and what's next
In this blog post, Jacqui Turland, Service Owner for the driver services platform (DSP), gives an update about the work on the project so far, what’s been achieved to date and what the next steps are.
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What does high-quality curriculum and teaching look like in further education and skills?
Our Annual Report 2021/22 showed a broadly positive picture for the further education and skills sector. 80% of providers are good or outstanding. Most of the sector is providing high-quality education for learners and apprentices, despite the pandemic and …
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How trees can stack up to help your farm business diversify
Peter Knox is a Business Development Advisor with the Forestry Commission. A key aim of his work is helping farmers become more resilient through incorporating trees into their farm businesses. Based in the Penrith Office, Peter oversees an exciting area for …
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Coverage on phosphorus pollution from agriculture
There has been coverage today in the Times – part of its Clean It Up campaign - regarding guidance for farmers to reduce and prevent agricultural pollution into waterways. The piece states that ministers have been accused of giving farmers …
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Reflections on my time with the Social Security Advisory Committee
I have been a member of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) since 2016 and, as my term comes to an end, I want to reflect on what a fascinating role it has been. When I was first appointed, I …
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Finding my purpose in climate change work in government
Ahead of a major Civil Service environmental conference, which is supported by the Government Actuary's Department, one of GAD's actuaries, talks about the growth of his involvement in climate-change related work.