9952posts
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Watch: how a White Peak beef farmer uses herbal leys
In the latest film in our White Peak herbal leys series, beef farmer James Frost shares how he establishes and manages herbal leys to support forage quality, soil health and biodiversity.
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Leading the way in Greater Manchester – bringing people, nature, connectivity and growth together
Lucy Abram, Deputy Director of the Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside Team CyanLines is a bold plan to link and transform Greater Manchester’s green and blue spaces - and it's just celebrated its first birthday. This blog explores how Greater Manchester is putting nature at the heart of its …
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How Southwark Council used Get help buying for schools to transform catering procurement
An innovative collaboration with the Department for Education’s (DfE) Get help buying for schools (GHBS) service helped Southwark Council to set up its own bespoke school catering services framework — one that is already attracting wider interest across London. The …
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An Online Hub for Local Wildlife Sites: New Resources for a Vital 5% of England
By Sofía Muñoz and Scott Mitchell, Senior Specialists for Data Engagement and Analysis, Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment Programme This blog explains what Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) are, why they matter, and the importance of the new online hub where …
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Changes to the BTV testing approach in England – webinar invite for veterinary colleagues for Thursday 10 September 2026 at 6pm
You are invited to a briefing call hosted by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to introduce additional measures relating to bluetongue (BTV) policy and diagnostic processes. The change to this process will make it quicker and easier for vets …
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Speaking up about mental health in forestry and arboriculture
Jen Turner, Development Manager at the Royal Forestry Society (RFS), discusses the findings of a recent Breaking Points survey on forestry workers’ mental health, and how the Wellbeing in Forestry group looks to support the sector.
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Giving the River Rib room to breathe: restoring a Hertfordshire chalk stream
Chalk streams are among the rarest freshwater habitats on Earth, with around 85% of the world's 280 chalk streams found in England.
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Who’s eligible for the 2026 COVID-19 vaccine, or ‘Autumn Booster’?
When autumn comes, protection from any earlier COVID-19 vaccination you may have had will be starting to wane. For those who are more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, the NHS offers a free vaccine in the autumn, previously known as the 'Autumn Booster'.
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Making graph databases more accessible with AI
What if analysts could query graph databases using plain English? This experiment tested AI-assisted querying, uncovering practical benefits, challenges and considerations for future adoption across government.
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What is an accelerator?
In Autumn 2025 we started our accelerator projects: small, multidisciplinary teams working alongside places to design, test and scale solutions to complex public service challenges. This blog takes you through what an accelerator is, who is involved, the ways of working that underpin them, and what they aim to achieve.
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Every sighting matters! Why your report matters in the fight against the yellow-legged hornet
See it - Snap it - Send it. Public sightings are crucial to stopping yellow-legged hornets becoming established in the United Kingdom. Learn how your report can help.
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Copilot and me: What’s made a difference
In the third part of our series looking at the ways Defra colleagues are using AI, Zoe Wilson reflects on how Copilot empowers her as a form of assistive technology.
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Rigged bids, real costs - the case for tackling bid rigging in public procurement
In 2023, the CMA fined 10 construction firms £60 million for colluding to rig the bidding processes for demolition and asbestos removal contracts worth £150 million. The evidence in the case included emails, text messages and handwritten notes - even …
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Why beauty still matters: reflections on a career spent fighting for our finest landscapes
By Marian Spain, Chief Executive, Natural England As she nears the end of her career at Natural England, Chief Executive Marian Spain reflects on 40 years working with Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, from their early days as planning tools …
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Why we're discussing meat inspection charges at our next Board meeting
Meat inspection charges will be discussed at the next FSA Board meeting after engagement with the industry.
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Interest in Higher Tier single-focus agreements
Interest in Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) single-focus agreements continues to grow, with 650 expressions of interest (EOIs) received since the offer opened at the end of July. This post covers the current areas of interest and how to submit an EOI.
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Share your expertise and join our Scientific Advisory Committees
Hear from current Scientific Advisory Committee members about their experiences about working with the FSA.
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From sustainability champions to sustainability by design – Part Two
In Part Two of his blog exploring how Sustainable ICT is no longer something that just a few people are interested in, Christopher Gale explains the benefits of thinking about sustainability earlier, and the opportunities this presents.
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The countryside that shaped me – and why it matters to us all
This post has been written by one of the members of the Environment Blog team. We wish to share some of our own experiences with nature to encourage you to get outside and explore your local environment. Please feel free …
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'Slick and easy' cleaning services procurement with Get help buying for schools
Nicola Wells is the school business manager at Amery Hill Secondary School – a single academy trust in Hampshire with approximately 1,000 students. Here she shares her experience of using Get help buying for schools to procure cleaning services for …
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Dragons' Den IP Blog - Series 23 Episode 10
It's time for BBC Dragons' Den. and as always, we'll be taking a closer look at the IP behind tonight's pitches, exploring the designs, patents and trade marks that help protect the innovations of tonight's hopeful entrepreneurs.
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Updating the supplementary codes for right to work and right to rent to version 1.1
We have published new, 1.1 versions of the supplementary codes for digital right to work and right to rent checks, to align the rules with the upcoming changes to the right to work and rent regulations. These 1.1 supplementary codes immediately replace the 1.0 supplementary codes published on …
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Commencing transition from 0.4 to 1.0
The transition period from the 0.4 and versions of the trust framework and supplementary codes has started One of the conformity assessment bodies that are approved to certify against the UK digital verification services trust framework and the supplementary codes …
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Tony and Marian make the case for nature to Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee
This blog is a summary of Marian Spain and Tony Juniper's appearance in front of the Environmental Audit Committee, and reflections on their time in office. Natural England's Chair Tony Juniper and Chief Executive Marian Spain appeared before Parliament's Environmental …
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Shaping the future under uncertainty: the challenge of transformation
Deep uncertainty is a defining feature of transformational policy challenges. This blog explores how actuarial thinking can support appraisal and decision-making where future outcomes are difficult to predict.
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Should I be concerned that an invasive mosquito species has been detected in East London?
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and larvae at residential properties in East London. It is the first time this species has been found breeding in the UK, and the fourth modern-day detection of Aedes …
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Connecting data to enable modern digital government
The Foundational Data team in the Office for the Chief Data Officer explains how better-connected data could support simpler, more joined-up public services.
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From cadet to captain: a Merchant Navy story
Rising to captain his own ship in the year 2000, Shajan Lukose, Head of Nautical Examiners at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), reflects on his time in the Merchant Navy.
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Copilot and me: making the pace of work more manageable
In the second part of our series looking at how Copilot is helping Defra colleagues in their daily work, Leigh-Ann Jones shares her personal reflections of how Copilot has supported her to stay on top of a fast-moving, information-heavy role, making overwhelm manageable.
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Removing barriers to restoration: how your feedback is helping improve marine licensing
Marine habitat restoration is essential if we are to reverse biodiversity loss and build resilience to climate change. Across England, important habitats such as seagrass meadows, saltmarsh and native oyster reefs have declined significantly. Restoring them is vital for improving …
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Creating the best working environments for Civil Service in Greater Manchester
How Greater Manchester’s Civil Service hub is creating inclusive spaces for digital careers, collaboration, connection and community beyond London.
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Protecting UK democracy from hostile actors and foreign interference 🗳️🔒
The Government is taking further action to stop foreign money and hostile actors from interfering in UK elections and politics. 💪 Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy. Everyone should be able to trust that political decisions …
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GOV.UK Pay at 10: how it started and how it's going
10 years ago, GDS launched GOV.UK Pay, one of its flagship platforms used by public sector service teams. To mark this milestone, we look back at an incredible first decade and some exciting developments in store as we begin the next decade.
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Starting Uni this September? Here's what you need to know about food safety
Moving into your own accommodation for university is exciting. Keeping on top of your food hygiene might not be top of mind for many students but it might make the difference between spending your Friday night alone feeling poorly or out with your new uni mates. These tips will keep you safe at uni.
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New duty takes effect to support children in temporary accommodation🏠
There are around 177,530 children living in temporary accommodation, the highest on record. From today (1st September), a new duty takes effect, designed to enable these children to get the support they need as early as possible, and to stop vulnerable …
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Farmer Collaboration Fund: delivery partners can apply now
Delivery partners can now apply for the Farmer Collaboration Fund. In this post, we share an overview, link to the guidance and details of webinars to learn more.
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Capital Grants 2026 now closed
The 2026 Capital Grants offer is now closed. In this guest post, the Rural Payments Agency's Chief Executive, Oliver Munn, shares some early reflections on the data and the environmental ambition they represent.
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Supporting devolution through digital, data and AI
Across government, there is a growing focus on how powers, funding and decision-making can be exercised closer to the places they impact. We're pleased to be working with Mayoral Strategic Authorities, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and No.10 North through a new Digital Devolution programme, announced on 21 August by the …
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From sustainability champions to sustainability by design – Part One
Christopher Gale explains how Sustainable ICT is no longer a niche concern, or something for a handful of passionate people to champion from the sidelines.
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Small R&D Partnerships competition now open
Round 5 of the Small Research and Development Partnerships competition is now open. UK businesses can apply to develop new farming products or services to bring them closer to commercial use. In this post, we share a summary and case studies from previous rounds of the competition.