9690posts
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How digital verification services can help businesses meet their obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations
In early 2026 we (DCMS, formerly DSIT) worked with HM Treasury to publish guidance under the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs). The guidance sets out how certified and registered digital verification services (DVS) that operate in compliance with the UK DVS trust framework (“trust framework”) can be treated as reliable and independent sources of …
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Preventative Analytics for Youth Justice: The Advisory Panel's First Steps
Preventing children and young people from being drawn into crime and the criminal justice system can have profound effects later in life. Did you know that 80% of prolific adult offenders get their first cautions or convictions as children? Spotting …
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A thinking partner: Copilot as assistive technology
Since 2023, Defra has been running targeted trials and rollouts of Microsoft Copilot - a personal AI assistant integrated within Microsoft apps. These pilots highlighted the meaningful ways it can benefit colleagues who are neurodivergent and/or have a disability or other access need and, as such, we made full licenses available as a reasonable adjustment. …
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‘Document upload’ is coming soon: a quicker, easier way to send us your documents
We’re pleased to tell you that we're introducing a new ‘Document upload’ service in the Rural Payments service. This new online service will give you a simpler, more secure way to send us documents and supporting evidence. Instead of using …
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Apply now for the latest ADOPT funding rounds
Eligible applicants can now apply for funding through the latest rounds of the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) Fund.
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The Secret Life of a Suburban Garden Visitor
In this post learn more about hedgehogs and how you can help them.
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Why light matters: CST’s advice on securing competitive advantage through photonics
Photonics underpins key technologies and UK strengths. CST highlights a clear growth opportunity and calls for coordinated action to build capability and global leadership.
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Climate adaptation: strengthening the UK’s resilience to climate change
Following advice on climate adaptation and resilience, CST supported an FST event on enhancing the UK’s preparedness and resilience to climate change.
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GCSE, level 1 and 2 results 2026 at a glance: key trends and context for teachers
More than 5.7 million GCSE results have been issued to students in England today, along with more than 374,000 results for level 1 and 2 vocational and technical qualifications. This year’s GCSE results are stable overall in comparison with those in 2025. Small variations are normal from year to year and from subject to subject.
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The 2026 National Reference Test: rising attainment in maths and what this means for grades
The 2026 National Reference Test results are out. They show a long-term trend of slightly improved attainment in GCSE maths, but not in English language. To ensure standards are maintained, we told exam boards to take the NRT results into account when setting some GCSE maths grade boundaries. Here we explain what that means.
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Beyond the bite: how science helps the UK stay ahead of mosquito-borne diseases
What can mosquitoes reveal about emerging disease threats? Discover how APHA scientists track viruses, monitor wildlife and help keep the UK one step ahead.
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GCSE results day 2026: Everything you need to know including the number grading system
Thousands of students across the country will soon be finding out their GCSE results and thinking about the next steps in their education. Here we explain everything you need to know about the big day, from when results day is, …
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Putting Nature at the Heart of Healthcare: My Reflections from Bristol
By Marian Spain, CEO of Natural England In this blog, NE's Chief Executive Marian Spain reflects on her recent visit to healthcare sites in Bristol to explore how partners are incorporating nature into health and wellbeing, and discusses Natural England's …
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Designing GOV.UK Chat for the GOV.UK app
Learn how we designed GOV.UK Chat to integrate into the GOV.UK app and the improvements we made based on user insights.
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Is your appeal decision written in the stars?
Claire Sherratt, an Inspector Profession Lead, explains how we decide which procedure your appeal should follow and why headline rates of allowed appeals don’t tell the full story.
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What are the certification requirements for digital verification services that are being used for alcohol purchases?
The proposed changes to the Mandatory Licensing Conditions enable an important new use case for digital verification services (DVS). Once in force, DVS can be used to support the sale and supply of alcohol in England and Wales. Understandably, DVS providers have been asking what this means for certification, registration …
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Identify with confidence using MMO’s species ID cards
Identify cuttlefish, gurnards, octopus, sharks and squid with MMO’s ID cards and report with the right codes to support better data and fisheries management.
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How can a business be confident that a digital proof of age belongs to the person presenting it?
The Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) (Amendment) Order 2026 (“the Mandatory Licensing Conditions”), once it is approved by Parliament and has come into force, will enable retailers and hospitality venues in England and Wales to accept digital proofs of age …
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Trimming the Terabytes: How to reduce your digital storage
Discover how BIST's Microsoft Service team reduced SharePoint storage without interrupting normal service, using version trimming. Learn practical lessons on information management, governance, and achieving better value for taxpayers.
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Delta Fire: British Innovation Supporting Frontline Firefighting
King’s Awards for Enterprise recipient Delta Fire Ltd is demonstrating how British manufacturing and innovation can help fire and rescue services respond to both established and emerging operational challenges. Based in Norwich, Delta Fire designs and manufactures specialist firefighting equipment …
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Reports claiming planning reforms make it easier to approve unauthorised Traveller sites are wrong
Several newspapers have claimed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will make it easier for unauthorised Traveller developments to get planning permission. This is not correct. The claims have misinterpreted the policy and the important changes we have …
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Coverage of changes to the National Planning Policy Framework
There has been widespread national coverage of the government’s announcement on reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), including new measures to support housing delivery around transport hubs and stronger protections for pubs. The Financial Times, The Sun and …
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Engineering Practice Hackathon: a day of collaboration, AI and innovation
What happens when you ask 40 engineers to use their skills and AI tools to transform the experience of new employees joining DWP Digital? In July 2026, the Engineering Practice Hackathon brought together expertise from across the organisation and gave them just …
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How digital verification services can be used to support alcohol purchases
The Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) (Amendment) Order 2026, once it is approved by Parliament and has come into force, will enable retailers and hospitality venues in England and Wales to accept digital proofs of age when selling or …
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New drought support for farmers
Farmers affected by extreme dry weather can now benefit from temporary flexibilities in ELM agreements, £50 million increase in SFI funding, and a new round of the Water Management Grant, set to open in Autumn.
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What is HPV and how effective is the vaccine that protects against it?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common viral infection. Here's what you need to know, including the remarkable story of how a vaccine is helping to eliminate some cancers caused by HPV entirely.
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National rollout of Photos at Test
Earlier this year we completed phase 2 of the MOT Photos at Test trial, formerly known as Images in Garages..
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Why exam results season should inspire employers, by Phil Smith
Thousands of young people receiving their exam results will be weighing up their next steps. Whatever grades they achieve, one thing I’m sure we would all agree on is that they deserve the best possible chance of success in their lives and careers. We need our …
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Why water regulation is changing – and how Clear Waters is helping
Regulating the environmental performance of the water industry is a core Environment Agency function. Since 2023 we have been transforming the way we regulate the water industry. Backed by significant investment we are delivering increased scrutiny and oversight through a specialised workforce dedicated to each water and sewerage company. We recognise that further change is needed and that improvements …
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Results day 2026: What's next after picking up your A level, T Level and VTQ results?
It can feel like there’s a lot riding on A Level, T Level and Vocational Technical Qualifications (VTQ) results day but if you don’t get your predicted grades, don’t worry - it doesn’t mean that your education journey stops here. …
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Heatwaves, temperature control and veterinary medicines: how to transport medicines safely
VMD Voices: Our Experts Explain With UK summer heatwaves once again putting temperature control in the spotlight, this second blog from VMD inspector, Julia Pearce, follows our earlier advice on storing veterinary medicines safely by looking at how to protect …
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Heatwaves, temperature control and veterinary medicines: how to store medicines safely
VMD Voices: Our Experts Explain With the UK experiencing summer heatwaves in 2026, it’s important that vet practices and retailers are checking how veterinary medicines are stored and temperatures monitored. High temperatures can increase the risk of medicines being kept …
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A Level and level 3 results 2026 at a glance: key trends and context for teachers
More than 880,000 A and AS Level results have been issued today to students in England, with another 221,000 results for vocational and technical qualifications. These results open doors for students to move on to the next stage in their lives and recognise the effort and quality of work they have displayed.
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How the Care Leaver Apprenticeship Bursary supported my journey, by Grace
My name is Grace, and I am currently completing a Customer Service Practitioner Level 2 apprenticeship with Ginger Nut Training after progressing from a scholarship. Before this, I didn’t even understand how a modern-day apprenticeship worked, let alone how much one could …
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Managing farms and land during prolonged dry weather and drought
Almost three-quarters of land in England is now in drought after experiencing record-low rainfall and unusually high temperatures. As the dry weather looks set to persist, we've gathered information and resources to help farmers and growers.
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How does the Environment Agency manage abstraction to protect the environment?
Water is essential for drinking, farming, industry, wildlife and recreation. Managing our rivers, lakes, estuaries, wetlands and groundwater properly ensures the needs of society, the economy and nature can be met over the long term. 2026 has seen the driest July in 190 years, …
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Can technology improve people’s experience of organisational change?
What role can automation play in organisational change? Drawing on a government restructure, this blog shows how digital transformation helped deliver fairer, more transparent outcomes while reducing risk and manual effort.
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Coverage of the government's High Streets announcement
There has been widespread national, regional and broadcast coverage of the government’s announcement on improving Britain’s high streets. The Guardian, The Times, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph and The Financial Times, The i Paper, BBC News and Metro all ran pieces …
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How we’re helping people and businesses get help from APHA with sustainable design
Senior content designer Eleanor Shakeshaft and senior service designer Ibarieze Abani from the APHA improving customer experience team discuss how they’re improving the way customers get support when they can't find the answers they need online.
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Championing Youth Talent in the Civil Service
Today, 12th August we celebrate International Youth Day and recognise the potential, resilience, and ambition of young people. This year, the official theme is ‘Different Contexts, Common Aspirations’. It is a powerful reminder that while young people grow up facing …