9512posts
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Rooted in place: how the West Midlands Nature Investment Hub is connecting investment with nature
Place matters. Restoring nature, effective planning, decisions about land use, managing catchments – all depend on local factors. To successfully deliver our outcomes and make a real difference to people, Defra must operate effectively locally. This is crucial for everything we do – …
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Rolling out Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier
This post outlines our plans to expand CSHT to more farmers and land managers in England.
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Helping estate agents get ahead
Kotini develops software for UK estate agents, helping them to streamline the customer onboarding process. Kotini joined the Geovation Accelerator Programme in 2023.
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Supporting the armed forces community at Companies House
Companies House is committed to supporting veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers and their families. In this blog post, Donna Hill, Director of People and Places, explains what that means in practice.
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Coastal Planners update
Coastal Planners across England continue to support marine planning, stakeholder engagement, and future skills development. The following highlights some of the work undertaken across regions during the last quarter. South East As part of the development of the new East …
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Digital Twins role in the future of product safety
Newly published research explores how Digital Twins and related innovative technologies could support safer products, and what needs to happen to support their adoption. Rapid technological change is making products more connected and complex, supported by artificial intelligence, the Internet …
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Connecting government and academia: Responsible AI Through Cloud Technology event
The first joint Cloud, FinOps, and AI community event brought together professionals from across government and academia to discuss AI in cloud technology.
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Government apology for historic forced adoption practices: what it means and where to get support
Today the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, apologised in Parliament on behalf of the UK government for forced adoption practices in England and the decades of harm this caused. If you were affected by forced adoption practices in England particularly between …
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Teacher pay: everything you need to know about the latest multi- year pay award
Here’s everything you need to know about teacher pay. The School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) is an independent group that makes recommendations on the pay of teachers and leaders in maintained schools in England and reports to the Secretary of …
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Evolving the Service Standard for the future of public services
We’re evolving the Service Standard from a one-off test into a living standard for modern, end-to-end public services. Here’s how – and how to be involved.
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Working together to progress and protect the driving instructor profession
How we're working with the driver training industry and updates to the code of practice.
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Cutting admin, not corners: AI in temporary accommodation
Local AI has been working with councils to explore how AI could reduce repetitive tasks such as drafting personalised housing plans, helping officers spend more time on prevention, casework and supporting local people. The team has developed an AI case workspace proof of concept to test how this could be done in practice.
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Out of sight, out of mind?
Introduction By Sarah McClinton One longstanding challenge faced by social workers is ensuring the safety and quality of care for people who move into health and care settings out of their local area, where there is a high risk …
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Capital Grants: get your supporting evidence ready
Capital Grants help farmers, land managers and rural businesses make practical improvements that benefit the environment across England. The offer is set to open in late July 2026. We're encouraging those who wish to apply to gather and submit the required evidence as early as possible.
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SFI26 update: around 25% of window 1 budget now allocated
We can confirm that around 25% of the Window 1 budget for SFI26 has now been allocated, based on applications received so far.
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Northern Ireland stakeholder engagement: the value of local experience
I was delighted to be appointed to the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) in January 2026. SSAC is an independent statutory body that provides impartial advice on social security related matters. It scrutinises the majority of complex secondary legislation that underpins …
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MOT: what we’ve been working on
Our aim is to continuously improve the service we deliver, by streamlining our services and future-proofing the MOT service.
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Advancing Shark and Ray Conservation: Indonesia’s Voice at Sharks International 2026
Sharks International is the world’s largest scientific conference dedicated to sharks, rays, and chimaeras, bringing together researchers, conservation practitioners, policymakers, and fisheries experts from around the world every four years. At the 2026 conference, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka (4–8 …
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GOV.UK app: One year of easier, faster services in your pocket
Today, the GOV.UK app turns one. And, like all first birthdays, it’s a bit of a special moment - a time to celebrate but also reflect and look forward.
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Exploration sprints: testing whether a different approach is actually viable
Could a two-week sprint transform a public service? Discover how CustomerFirst tests ideas, uncovers barriers and builds evidence before major change.
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How SFI is helping a small farm improve profitability and resilience
In this video, Gloucestershire Farmer Edward Earnshaw explains how Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) actions are helping his small family farm streamline management, cut input costs, and boost profitability while delivering environmental benefits.
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Building the Bridge from Military Excellence to Civil Service Careers
In recognition of Armed Forces Day 2026, we look at how this day serves to demonstrate support and appreciation for the entire Armed Forces community, including serving personnel, veterans, cadets, and their families At Going Forward into Employment (GFiE), we …
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Making a real difference: a day in the life of a Water Industry Regulation team leader
I didn’t come from a regulatory or environmental background, but I’ve always had a deep-rooted passion for nature. Growing up, I spent a lot of time gardening with my parents and grandparents, learning the value of patience, care, and respect for the natural world. As my career progressed, I became increasingly aware of the pressures being placed on our environment and it felt …
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The UK NSC 2026 call for screening topics is now open
The UK NSC 2026 open call for new screening proposals is now open until 30 September.
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What Natural England is doing next to protect Dartmoor Ponies
In recent weeks, Dartmoor's iconic ponies have been at the centre of significant media attention and public debate. We want to use this blog to set out clearly what has been reported, what is happening in reality, and what we …
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Enabling the use of digital verification services for alcohol age checks in England and Wales
Today the Home Office has laid legislation that will allow customers at licensed premises in England and Wales to prove their age using digital checks from a registered digital verification service provider.
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Libraries sector in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026
Here on the Libraries blog, we’re shining a spotlight on those recognised for services to public libraries or who have worked within them as part of the work they have been awarded honours for. Members of the Order of the …
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Latest statement in response to small boat crossings
A Home Office spokesperson said: “This Government is bearing down on small boat crossings, with removals of small boat migrants at record levels and asylum claims down by 12%. “The Home Secretary has signed a landmark new deal with France …
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Beyond the test: THINK! campaign addresses drug driving attitudes. How you can support it
As professional driving instructors, you have an opportunity to help address one of the most concerning trends in road safety
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What are ticks and how can you avoid being bitten?
Ticks are parasites that can transmit infections to humans, including Lyme disease, Alpha-gal syndrome and tick-borne encephalitis. Visit our blog post to find answers to common questions about ticks, the risks they pose, and how to protect yourself.
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SFI26: Window 1 now open
The first application window for the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 (SFI26) is now open.
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What is Lyme disease and how is it diagnosed and treated?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks, usually outdoors in green spaces. Visit our blog post on ticks to learn how to avoid them or remove them if you are bitten.
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Maritime and Coastguard Agency refreshes safety tool for senior leaders
A look at the changes made to Leading for Safety, the MCA’s maritime industry safety guide for senior leaders.
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Coverage of the Vagrancy Act repeal
There is widespread positive national coverage following the department’s announcement that the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act will be repealed on Monday, bringing an end to the criminalisation of rough sleeping. The announcement is covered prominently across national media, including the Observer, …
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From review to reform: making post-implementation reviews count
Post-implementation reviews are meant to answer a simple question: is a regulation still working? Too often, the answer is “not as well as it should” and yet nothing changes.
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Services Week: What we are learning about introducing sustainability into service assessments
Sustainable Design Lead Ned Gartside looks ahead to Services Week 2026, where he will be leading a session to talk about Defra’s recent introduction of a 15th Service Standard point focused on sustainability.
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Natural England response to Badger Trust and Wild Justice judicial review decision
The High Court has on 26 June 2026, dismissed the judicial review claim brought by Wild Justice and the Badger Trust, finding no unlawfulness in Natural England’s decision-making. The Court declined to grant the declaration sought by the claimants, noting …
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Explainer: Repeal of the Vagrancy Act, what happens next?
The Government is repealing the Vagrancy Act 1824 (Monday 29th June), ending over 200 years of criminalising rough sleeping and begging and marking a shift to a more modern, supportive approach to homelessness. ❓What is changing? 🌟Why is the Act being repealed? 🎯Tackling criminal activity 🤝What …
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New funding available for lowland peat soils
From today, 2 new grants are available to farmers and land managers on lowland peat soils. One provides funding for water management infrastructure, while the other supports research into viable markets for paludiculture and traditional crops grown at higher water tables.
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West Midlands Swift Academy – Connecting People and Swifts in Urban Spaces
By Chloe Hardman, Senior Project Manager, West Midlands Area Team In this blog, Chloe Hardman discusses swifts, and the amazing work being done to protect them within communities in the Midlands. When was the last time an animal made you …