9897posts
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Your guide to who’s eligible for the autumn 2026 flu vaccine
Flu season is approaching, and some people can already book their free NHS flu vaccine. Here's everything you need to know about who can get vaccinated this year and what's changed since last autumn.
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Adopting a user-centred design approach to our internal content landscape
The Content Improvement team in MHCLG focuses on making sure internal content across our platforms is accessible and user-friendly, and meets the needs of all colleagues. By treating content as critical infrastructure rather than just a communications tool, we’re helping our colleagues, and the AI tools they use, work more efficiently.
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Explore More for Less: Affordable South East Nature Days Out
This summer, if you’re looking for fun and accessible days out that are low-cost, then we have you covered. Not only is spending time in nature great for your wellbeing, it can also be great for your bank balance. Here are our suggestions for …
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Biodiversity Net Gain for major infrastructure projects – new guidance
From 2 November 2026, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) will become mandatory for new nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP) applications in England. Bringing BNG into the NSIP system is an important next step for nature. It will ensure that much needed major infrastructure …
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Explore More for Less: Affordable Southwest Nature Days Out
If you’re looking for fun and accessible days out that are low-cost, then we have you covered. Not only is spending time in nature great for your wellbeing, it can also be great for your bank balance. Here are our suggestions for our favourite affordable days out in …
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How science is helping us respond to the Tyne nurdle pollution incident
By Dr Rob Bradburne, Environment Agency Chief Scientist When incidents happen, good decisions depend on good science. That is certainly true of the ongoing recovery along North East England's coast, where a maritime collision released small pellets of plastic, known …
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Coverage of plans to strengthen mayoral powers over planning decisions
Following an announcement earlier this week, there has been widespread national coverage of the government’s plans to give regional mayors greater powers over major planning decisions, as part of efforts to boost housebuilding, unlock growth and deliver devolution. The measures …
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Coverage of first wave of funding from the Social and Affordable Homes Programme
There has been widespread national, regional, broadcast and social media coverage of the government’s announcement of the first wave of funding from the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme. The government confirmed almost £10 billion will be allocated to …
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Building technology with purpose: how we developed Business Finder
Read about how our new Business Finder tool makes valuable data useable so that advisers can effectively find and support potential exporters more consistently.
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First year as a Marine Surveyor after a career at sea
Rob reflects on a year working for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as a surveyor.
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Tackling antimicrobial resistance: what seven years of global work has taught us
Over seven years, with support from the Fleming Fund, APHA and FAO strengthened laboratories, built expertise and generated evidence to help countries tackle antimicrobial resistance.
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Coverage of national drive to end rough sleeping
There is extensive national coverage across print, broadcast and digital platforms of the department’s announcement that everyone sleeping rough in England will be offered a route off the streets this winter, backed by a £442 million package. Following an interview …
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Data, people and growth: Join us at DataConnect26
Join DataConnect26 on 6 and 7 October to explore how better data can drive growth, improve services and provide for people and places.
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Water Quality and Moorings Survey: life, data and science at sea
Monitoring our UK Marine waters Monitoring marine pollution in UK waters is essential for understanding how coastal and offshore ecosystems are changing, where pressures are emerging, and whether management actions are helping seas recover. Long-term, high-quality observations of nutrients, chlorophyll, …
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Tackling the loneliness of leaving care
Clare Chamberlain, co-chair of the Independent Review into the Deaths of Care Leavers, shares what the review found, and why care leavers need more than a Personal Adviser to help them navigate life after care and thrive as adults.
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Latest statement in response to small boat crossings
A Home Office spokesperson said: "This Government is bearing down on dangerous small boat crossings and restoring control at our border. Joint efforts have seen over 48,000 crossing attempts prevented and 1,100 boats and engines seized since the election. “We …
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What is Salmonella, and how can you keep safe in an outbreak?
With UKHSA currently helping to investigate a national outbreak that may be linked to eggs imported from outside of the UK, we've answered some of the questions we're most commonly asked about this bacteria, the symptoms it causes, and how we track it.
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Services Week 2026 Wrap Up
This year's Services Week saw an incredible 4,000 attendees across 80 sessions, delivered by over 30 different government departments. We reflect on the event's success and how to stay connected to the community.
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Two Years On: My Reflections as Chief Regulator
Two years ago, the Environment Agency created the Chief Regulator's Group to provide strategic leadership for regulation. We’re helping create a more consistent, effective and proportionate regulatory system and strengthening the connection between strategy, policy and delivery.
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Forests for water: applying the UK Forestry Standard in practice
Chris Waterfield, Carbon and Water Woodland Advisor, explains how you can apply UK Forestry Standards to create and manage woodlands to improve flood alleviation, water quality and aquatic habitats.
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Food Fact Check: Can you get salmonella from eggs? What you need to know.
Cymraeg We're working closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and other partners to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis. Investigations so far have identified potential links to eggs imported from outside of the UK, mainly used by food …
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Leading AST: A Unique Opportunity at the Heart of GAD
Dhanisha Sanghrajka, the outgoing Head of the Analytical Solutions Team shares insights on leading GAD’s analytical centre of excellence and the opportunities ahead for her successor.
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Your land, your choice: how Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier can work for farmers and land managers
By Dougal McNeill, Principal Officer, Agri-Environment Delivery, Natural England This blog explains and breaks down the role of Defra, RPA and NE in the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier process, while also discussing some of the benefits and challenges of the …
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Leading pensions work that matters: reflections from the Head of Public Service Pensions
GAD’s Head of Public Service Pensions reflects on a unique and impactful role that involves shaping decisions affecting millions in the UK. The role combines technical expertise with strategic leadership to support government on pension challenges.
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Dragons' Den IP Blog - Series 23 Episode 8
It’s the return of series 23 of Dragons' Den and tonight's episode served up plenty of food for thought, with confectionery creativity and spice-inspired stories firmly on the menu.
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Tackling drought: aquifer recharging to smart irrigation trials
Through the Farming Innovation Programme and its ADOPT Fund, we’re backing farmer-led ideas that strengthen access to water and help businesses adapt to increasingly hot and dry weather. In this post, we share 3 farmer-led projects already underway.
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A Digital Fast Stream Secondments Journey: How the secondment strengthened my product and strategy Skills
How a six-month Digital FastStream secondment strengthened my skills in Product, Strategy and Decision-Making.
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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 …