9574posts
-
Natural England publishes Hen Harrier Brood Management Trial
By Matthew Heard, National Delivery Director, Natural England Hen Harriers are one of the UK’s rarest birds of prey. However, they are at the centre of a long-running conflict because they prey on red grouse, which are managed for grouse …
-
How user research transformed GOV.UK guidance for separating families
Thousands of people use guidance on child arrangements every month, often at some of the most stressful moments in their lives. We wanted to find out whether it still met people's needs, and what we could do to improve it. …
-
What I learned when I started teaching agile
A chance to teach agile became an opportunity for personal growth. Through support, training and practical experience, I discovered new strengths and gained confidence to explore future career possibilities.
-
Consultation opens on five joint UK pelagic FMPs
Have your say on five proposed joint UK fisheries management plans covering herring, mackerel and blue whiting stocks. Submit your response by 14 October 2026.
-
Two Big Milestones for Millions of Care Workers in England
A message from Rose Thomas-Willis, Deputy Director, Adult Social Care Pay and Careers
-
How we're monitoring illegal waste sites and managing environmental risk
How we investigate illegal waste sites Waste crime is serious crime. It harms communities, undercuts legitimate waste businesses and can damage the environment. The Environment Agency investigates illegal waste activity in England. Our role is to assess and manage environmental risks, identify those responsible, …
-
Drought and Water Resource Information and Links
Water is a precious resource that we can’t live without; from supplying drinking water and supporting fisheries, to providing an essential resource to business and agriculture, as well as a source of recreation. It is important that our rivers, lakes, …
-
What I heard from more than 150 SME leaders – and what Skills England will do next, by Anthony Impey
Earlier this year, I spent a week travelling across the country and speaking with over 150 leaders of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The conversations took place in different places and sectors, but a consistent picture emerged. There is …
-
Existing medicines and new uses
An overview of medicines repurposing, the challenges of generating evidence, and how actuarial analysis can support value‑based decision‑making.
-
Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier: express your interest
From today, you can express your interest in a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) agreement for agroforestry or woodland improvement. You can also express your interest in single-focus agreements for scheduled monument management or species-rich grassland.
-
How climate change is impacting the way flooding is managed
At the Flood & Coast conference 2026, Environment Agency Chief Executive Philip Duffy spoke about climate challenges and what they mean for those working in flooding, the new approach to delivering flood defences and how we need to work together …
-
Organisations invited to collaborate in expansion of SMA screening evaluation in England
The government has issued a call to collaborate to seek additional funding to extend the evaluation of newborn screening for SMA to all the English screening laboratories.
-
Understanding cyber security across the digital identity ecosystem
The digital identity market is growing. More services are being certified, more sectors are adopting digital verification services (DVS), and certification against the 1.0 trust framework begins later this year. At the same time, the fraud picture is a reminder of why security …
-
Hidden in Plain Sight -Reframing Adult Social Care Responsibilities in Long-term Rough Sleeping
Introduction by Robert Lewis A National Plan to End Homelessness (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 2025) provided a welcome focus on the need to work across government departments to help improve outcomes for those people experiencing long-term homelessness …
-
Why do you need more than one dose of some vaccines?
Many vaccines need more than one dose to provide protection. This blog post explains why multiple doses are sometimes needed, how vaccine schedules are determined, and what the evidence says about staying protected.
-
Design once, reuse everywhere
We’ve helped build the Gov Reuse Library, a digital library storing reusable design products and services for colleagues across central and local government to use.
-
The Marine Management Organisation want to hear about your experience of using the marine plans
Are you a decision-maker or a proponent in one of England’s marine plan areas? Do you have experience of using the marine plans in another capacity, or a strong interest in marine planning in England? The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) …
-
High Court judgment threatens protections for England’s internationally important wildlife sites
Natural England intends to appeal a High Court judgment arising from a judicial review brought by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) concerning gamebird release licensing. Gamebird release licensing was introduced in 2021 to protect internationally important species …
-
A Fair Deal For Care Workers: Launching Part 3 of the Care Workforce Pathway
What is the Care Workforce Pathway? When we launched the Care Workforce Pathway (the Pathway) in 2024, we set out an ambitious vision: to create the first universal career structure for adult social care, giving clearer opportunities to develop, progress, and build rewarding …
-
Foster care standards reform: what's changing and why
The National Minimum Standards for fostering are being reformed. Niketa Sanderson-Gillard talks about the new draft standards and the public consultation
-
Regulating modular nuclear reactors – from design and R&D to the factory floor and site
Following Rolls-Royce SMR’s announcement about the new Pioneer Works facility in Derby, Andy Pynn, our strategic lead for nuclear new build, reflects on a visit he made to the company’s EXPERI facility at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research …
-
Coverage of milestone in delivering leasehold reforms
There has been significant national, regional and trade coverage of the government’s announcement that it has taken the next steps to reform the feudal leasehold system. The government confirmed that it would progress with plans to improve transparency and ensure …
-
Shaping the Farmer Collaboration Fund: what we heard
With guidance for the £30 million Farmer Collaboration Fund due to be published in August, and the first round opening on 1 September, we explain how the fund has been designed in partnership with the sector.
-
Introducing Farmer Welfare Grant
Through the Farmer Welfare Grant, £1.5 million will be available over 3 years to support targeted projects that strengthen farmers’ personal and business resilience. It will open on 6 August.
-
My PRIMA journey: Exploring new markets and building commercialisation skills
Interview with Arera Davies, Innovation Community Officer, British Antarctic Survey Could you share your professional background and tell us briefly about your role? I joined the Innovation Team at British Antarctic Survey in 2024 as the Innovation Community Officer. It’s an exciting role, especially …
-
How we’re making sure your child is safe in nursery
Leaving your little one somewhere new is a big moment for any parent. Here we explain what nurseries and childminders must do to keep your child safe, the steps we're taking to strengthen those protections even further, and exactly what …
-
From pixels to policy: The potential of geospatial embeddings for MHCLG
Geospatial Foundation Models and their embeddings have emerged as one of the most exciting developments in AI. In this post, the AI Lab in MHCLG introduces the concept of image embeddings and their potential value for a central government department like MHCLG.
-
Supply staff savings allow Lime Trust to invest in schools and pupils
Lime Trust made significant savings on supply staffing by using the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) framework agreement – with the money saved being reinvested in its schools and pupils. The multi-academy trust - which comprises four primary and five special …
-
Littering, fly-tipping and large-scale illegal dumping: what's the difference?
We’ve all seen it. Greasy fast-food packaging tossed from a car window onto the side of a road. Orange cigarette butts stamped into the pavement. Shiny crisp packets nestled in the grass at your local park. These are all examples of littering which show careless disregard for our shared public places. But what have they got in common with criminal gangs dumping tonnes of industrial waste in a woodland, or mattresses left in a roadside …
-
🏠 Leasehold reforms explained: what today's changes could mean for you
If you’re a leaseholder, new measures could mean you receive more information about your service charge, as well as greater protection from unfair, hidden costs. Today, the government has taken the next steps in delivering a fairer leasehold system, resulting …
-
What is a Lifelong Guardianship Ceremony and how does it work
Every year, thousands of young people leave the care system in England and begin adult life without the lasting family relationships and support networks that many others take for granted. But many people who are care-experienced have developed enduring bonds, for example, with their foster carers, a teacher or a mentor. There is currently no way of honouring and celebrating those …
-
Marine Planning team explore the North Yorkshire Coast to see the benefits of Marine Plan policy
The Marine Planning team is dispersed across England. Bringing colleagues together provides an opportunity to share knowledge and gain a greater understanding of how marine planning benefits local communities, businesses, and wildlife. In June, the team visited the North Yorkshire …
-
Publishing OfDIA’s first annual report on digital verification services
On 14 July 2026, OfDIA published its first annual report on the operation of Part 2 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (the ‘Act’). Part 2 of the Act provides the legal foundation for trusted digital verification …
-
Round 5 of the Feasibility Studies Competition now open
Round 5 of the Feasibility Studies competition is now open. The competition offers grant funding for feasibility studies investigating new solutions that will address major on-farm or immediate post farmgate challenges or opportunities.
-
Five years on: Remembering the July 2021 Floods
In July 2021, thousands of Londoners watched floodwater enter their homes, businesses and communities with little warning, turning an ordinary summer day into an unforgettable one. Over two separate days, extreme rainfall overwhelmed parts of the capital, causing widespread flash flooding across 24 boroughs. Homes, …
-
UK NSC opens consultation on screening for osteoporosis in women
The UK NSC has opened a public consultation on screening for osteoporosis in women.
-
Managing wildfire risk: how the Forestry Commission responds
Rob Gazzard, Wildfire and Contingency Planning Advisor at the Forestry Commission, shares the forward planning and training needed to manage wildfire incidents across England.
-
Postponed: Capital Grants 2026 webinar
Update 21 July: we've taken the decision to postpone the webinar until closer to the opening of the offer.
-
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.
-
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 …