9535posts
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Improving support for people at risk through better data: Introducing the Vulnerabilities Data Standards Alpha
The Vulnerabilities Working Group is seeking feedback on new data standards designed to improve how public services support people at risk.
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More Awaab’s Law protections: “tenants’ health and safety can never be compromised”
MHCLG's announcement that Awaab’s Law is being extended to seven dangerous hazards later this year has been covered in national, regional and trade press. The Express (online) reports the news that 4 million social housing tenants will get new legal …
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Why severe wildfires are becoming more frequent in the UK and how to cope with the health risks
Wildfires are actually common in the UK, although most are typically small and of short duration. Hot, dry weather can dry out vegetation providing fuel for fires and increase the risk of wildfires. Climate change projections suggest we will see conditions more favourable for larger, more severe wildfires.
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GAD's workforce projection tool - helping turn workforce data into decisions
GAD's workforce projection tool turns HR data into a clear, auditable projections, helping public sector organisations identify key skill gaps, model scenarios, and giving senior leaders confidence to answer workforce questions and support business planning.
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Biodiversity Net Gain: Amendments and transitional arrangements published
We are pleased to announce that yesterday we published and laid before parliament regulations which set in motion changes to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for projects requiring planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act. Read this post to find out more.
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Sherwood Forest’s Major Oak: An ending and a beginning
Karyn Haw, Senior Officer - Nature Recovery Network, East Midlands Area Team Karyn Haw, Senior Officer in Natural England's East Midlands Area Team, reflects on the recent news that Sherwood Forest's iconic Major Oak has died. Drawing on a career …
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Building a more resilient UK: our investment in climate adaptation
Across the UK, we are already seeing its impacts through hotter summers, more intense rainfall, flooding, drought, pressure on water resources, and disruption to services and infrastructure. That’s why today, as part of the Climate and Nature moment, we've announced that the Government is investing up to £30 million to strengthen the evidence base needed for climate …
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🏠 Safer social homes with stronger Awaab’s Law protections – explainer
If you live in social housing, stronger rules mean landlords have to deal with dangerous problems in your home more quickly. From 30 November 2026, new legal protections will come into force, so more types of hazards – such as …
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Measuring public trust in charities: why the research matters
With the findings of this year’s public and trustee research fresh off the press, we sat down with Neal from our Strategic Policy Team, to discuss the purpose behind our research programme, how it’s evolved and the most significant learnings from his time overseeing its delivery.
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Powering 30by30 commitment through volunteering
Today, the Government has published its 30by30 Delivery Plan, backed by funding of up to £37 million a year over the next three years to accelerate practical action for nature. The plan sets out how government, landowners, farmers, businesses and communities will work …
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SFI26 update: 75% of Window 1 funding now allocated
75% of the Window 1 budget for SFI26 has now been allocated, based on applications received so far.
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Family and Group Conferencing for Adults – a key strengths-based practice
Introduction from Sarah McClinton I am delighted to share this blog from Professor Jerry Tew and Nick Sinclair, whose expertise and commitment have made an important contribution to the development of Family and Group Conferencing for Adults. It is particularly …
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From engagement to delivery: supporting responsible AI adoption in councils
The Local AI programme in MHCLG is working with councils and the Local Government Association to support responsible AI adoption in local government. Drawing on insights from recent council drop-in sessions, this blog post shares what we heard and how we’re turning our learnings into practical support for the sector.
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Tackling E. coli infections in piglets: APHA’s role in the ZINCLESS project
Following the removal of zinc oxide at therapeutic levels from pig diets, APHA helps lead ZINCLESS research – uncovering new insights into post-weaning diarrhoea, antimicrobial resistance, and sustainable solutions for healthier piglets.
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Building cyber resilience in the UK one step at a time
The Ministry of Defence have asked all industry partners to achieve Level 0 of the Defence Cyber Certification (DCC) by 31st December 2026, which includes a requirement for obtaining Cyber Essentials for all applicable business-critical systems within scope. The cyber landscape …
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Have your say: Education otherwise than at school -consultation
We're asking for views on how we support children who are educated outside a school or college. We've launched a new consultation on Education Otherwise Than At School, known as EOTAS, as part of our wider plan to improve support …
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What is the impact of climate change and adverse weather on summers in the UK?
Climate change is often talked about in terms of emissions targets and future scenarios, but most people experience it far more directly: through overheated homes, disrupted travel, worsening air quality, rising food costs, and strained health services.
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Wild Again: Restoring England's Wildlife
Wild Again is the UK Government's umbrella campaign coordinating species reintroductions, conservation projects, and habitat restoration across England under one shared identity. The campaign spans the full breadth of nature recovery: large-scale reintroductions of beavers, pine martens and golden eagles; conservation work …
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Coverage of expanded remediation funding
There has been significant national and trade coverage of the government’s announcement of new action to deliver safer homes and ensure leaseholders are not left facing high costs to fix the building safety mistakes made by others. It includes new …
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Higher Tier Capital Grants: agroforestry and woodland update
From today, you can apply for agroforestry and woodland assessment items through the Higher Tier Capital Grants offer. This means these items will be available to apply for year-round, rather than only through the Capital Grants 2026 offer.
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Secure and scalable checks against the digital verification services register
The Office for Digital Identities and Attributes (OfDIA) is introducing machine-readable technology to the digital verification services register. This will allow businesses and public authorities to check the register securely and at scale. The current register The current digital verification services (DVS) register is a GOV.UK list of …
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What is the School Support Staff Negotiating Body, and what does it mean for schools and staff?
Teaching assistants, school administrators, pastoral support staff, technicians, catering staff – these are the people who keep schools running every day. They support children with special educational needs and disabilities, manage school finances, help pupils who are struggling, and make sure …
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Helping you choose where and when to swim in open water
Open water swimming can be an invigorating experience, but it carries real risks. Before you head out, it's worth knowing a little about how water quality is monitored in England and where that monitoring does and doesn't apply. In this blog, we explain where you can …
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Food Fact Check: What are food additives and are they safe?
Food Fact Check: Adam Hardgrave, Head of Food Additives, Flavourings and Contact Materials answers questions about Food Additives.
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Driving skills: what's changed on the Ready to Pass? website and why
We've updated the Ready to Pass? campaign website so it focuses on the broader skills of driving, not just focusing on passing a driving test.
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From coat hangers to hazardous chemicals, no two days are the same for the Cargoes, Safety and Pollution Prevention team
To mark National Dangerous Goods Awareness Day, which falls during Maritime Safety Week, we're shining a light on the team working to ensure the safe and legal carriage of cargo, including dangerous goods, to and from the UK.
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CVO - Defra's vision for a thriving veterinary sector
As Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss discusses the release of Defra's White Paper Today, the government has published its White Paper, Our vision for a thriving veterinary sector, setting out proposals for the most significant reform of veterinary regulation in …
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How ARB Covers turned a studio frustration into a protected business
ARB Covers designs bespoke quilted covers for professional audio equipment, recording studios and high-end hi-fi systems. What started as a personal need has grown into a specialist business built on innovation, quality and intellectual property.
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Shaping the future of open data: the new Open Data Communities service
Open data plays a vital role in supporting transparency, accountability and innovation across the public sector. Find out about the recent changes we have made to our Open Data Communities platform, which helps inform better decision-making, support the development of new services and helps users better understand their areas.
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Putting the wiggle back into the River Kemp
By Denise Latham, Senior Officer, Catchment Sensitive Farming, Natural England What happens when a routine farm visit grows into something far more ambitious? Senior Officer Denise Latham shares the story of the Walcot Wiggle, how a conversation on a Shropshire …
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A maturing market: digital identity sectoral analysis 2026
Today we published our second annual sectoral analysis of the UK digital identity market...
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Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant – applications now open
We are now receiving applications for the Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant as announced in New funding boost to protect England's iconic peatlands - GOV.UK Up to £36 million is available to install infrastructure that will allow applicants to better manage water for lowland peat areas. Follow this link for more details and how to …
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A new cyber profession for government
Chief Information Security Officer, Greg Dakin, explores the impact that the new Cyber profession will have on DBT and its users.
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Plan technology for your school: get help using the right digital and technology infrastructure
Hattie Barham-Colwell, of the Department for Education's Safe and Reliable Technology team, explains how the plan technology for your school service can help you meet government digital and technology standards. In today’s fast-changing education landscape, technology plays a vital role …
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Every day, everyone: Making maritime safety second nature
Delegates met in Bermuda for the annual Red Ensign Group (REG) Conference.
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Opening Doors for Young People
As we celebrate 'Youth Employment Week', it’s a great opportunity to show how GFiE is helping young people take their first steps into meaningful careers. Across the Civil Service, a variety of tailored GFiE pathways from 'Supported Internships' for young …
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Marine Licensing Top Tips: Improving Clarity, Communication and Efficiency
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO), working alongside the ports sector, has launched new Marine Licensing Top Tips, as well as practical tools to make the licensing process clearer and more efficient. Developed under the Ports Sandbox initiative with the UK …
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Opportunities to join the UK National Screening Committee
The UK NSC is looking to appoint 4 new members to support its work advising ministers and the NHS in the 4 UK countries about all aspects of screening.
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Innovation in action: how funding is supporting farmers
Listen to the latest Defra Farming Podcast to hear how innovation funding is helping farmers turn new ideas into practical solutions. Two guests share how research, collaboration and on-farm trials are helping them improve productivity, reduce costs and build more resilient businesses.
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New driving test booking service: progress report and getting ready for a trial
Read the latest updates on the new driving test booking system and find out more about our trial to put it to the test.