10056posts
-
Helping buyers and homeowners understand a property’s planning potential
Understanding a property's planning potential can help you make informed decisions. In this guest blog, PlanningHub founder Ewa Moskwiak explains what planning potential is.
-
Reducing the spread of illness this winter: Seven steps to healthier schools and higher school attendance
As the colder months approach, we can expect to see increases in common airborne viruses. Illness is the biggest single reason for school absence; while some absences due to illness are unavoidable, many can be reduced through simple, proactive measures …
-
What good delivery means to us
The digital delivery community in MHCLG is thriving. Across different teams, professions and directorates, we found ourselves returning to many of the same conversations about what good delivery looks like. As a group of Heads of Delivery, we wanted to capture those shared beliefs in one place, so we created our Principles of Delivery.
-
Connections count: Building trust with families to improve attendance
Jayne Lowe talks about how strong attendance starts with schools building trust and positive relationships with families from the very beginning. When schools and parents work together around the shared goal of helping children feel happy, included and able to do well, attendance is more likely to improve.
-
Building cyber resilience in the UK one step at a time: a spotlight on a Defence Cyber Certification Certifying Body
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 …
-
Why our forests matter to us more than ever before
Harry Joyce, Economist at the Forestry Commission, reveals the latest findings of a report into the value of forest biodiversity in Great Britain.
-
SFI26 Window 2: an update
In this post we reflect on how we are looking to improve the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer for next year. We also share some headline figures from Window 2 of SFI26.
-
Sewage detectives: how UKHSA is using wastewater to track common viruses and emerging threats
The wastewater that we send from our toilets towards sewage treatment plants every day is potentially rich in data about our health. For the past 4 years, UKHSA has been monitoring wastewater across England for signs of polio, and over the past year has been testing new technologies to detect other potential threats. The next …
-
A postcard from Darlington
As No10 North gathers momentum, I wanted to offer a perspective from the other side of the Pennines – the Darlington Economic Campus, or No11 North as the Chancellor recently put it. HMT has traditionally been one of the most …
-
Build once, benefit many: driving business case transformation across government, one (agile) step at a time
Business cases help government make decisions about spending public money and delivering public benefit. MHCLG’s Digital Process Improvement team is applying user-centred design to make the business case process simpler, reduce duplication and support better collaboration across government, starting with a reusable triage service.
-
Success builds on success for newts and developers
By Stephanie Bird-Halton, Director - National Delivery at Natural England The 2025/26 Annual Monitoring Report for Natural England’s District Level Licensing (DLL) for great crested newts has just been published. This blog explores the successes so far and shows that …
-
SFI26: Window 2 now closed
Window 2 of the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 (SFI26) has now closed. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit an application.
-
Hobbit Day and the legacy of Middle-earth
J.R.R. Tolkien's stories have captivated readers for generations, turning Middle-earth into one of literature's most enduring worlds. This Hobbit Day, we explore the lasting legacy of Tolkien's work and the impact it continues to have around the world.
-
SFI26: 75% of budget now allocated
Around 75% of the SFI26 Window 2 budget has been allocated, based on applications received to date.
-
Supporting vulnerable people in the criminal courts: where we are now
Behind every case that comes through our criminal courts is a person. They could be a witness who must relive a frightening experience to give their evidence. Sometimes it's a member of the public serving on a jury. And sometimes it's someone who, for reasons of disability or vulnerability, needs the system to adapt a little so that they …
-
SFI26: 50% of Window 2 budget now allocated
We can confirm that around 50% of the Window 2 budget for SFI26 has been allocated, based on applications received to date.
-
SFI26: 25% of Window 2 funding now allocated
Around 25% of the Window 2 budget for SFI26 has now been allocated, based on applications received so far.
-
Bringing Clean Power and Nature Together
By Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England In this blog, Natural England’s chair reflects on a recent site visit to a Suffolk port, from where he sailed out to see an offshore wind farm as well as a novel installation …
-
SFI26: Window 2 now open
Today we are opening Window 2 of SFI26, giving all eligible farmers and land managers the opportunity to apply for funding that supports sustainable food production, environmental improvement and resilient farm businesses.
-
Every sample counts: working together to prevent Salmonella in UK poultry farms
Protecting public health starts on the farm. Discover how APHA, farmers, vets and scientists work together to prevent Salmonella, protect poultry health and keep food safe.
-
From catchment to coral reef: a new roadmap for cleaner coastal waters
A practical research roadmap for reducing land-based pollution and strengthening coral reef resilience Michelle Devlin, Devin Rowell, Alexandra Steckbauer and Amelia Wenger, Cefas, The University of Queensland, CORDAP, Wildlife Conservation Society, The Nature Conservancy Improving coastal water quality is one …
-
Tackling drought: why nature-based solutions are key to a resilient future
By Oliver Harmar, Natural England's Chief Strategy Officer This blog explains how climate change is affecting England, with a focus on drought and wildfire, while suggesting the actions that we can take to restore the natural landscapes that protect us …
-
RJM International Celebrates Prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade
RJM International has officially been presented with a King’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of its outstanding achievement in International Trade. On Thursday 10 September 2026, the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mr Nigel Atkinson, visited RJM’s headquarters in Winchester to formally …
-
What are the symptoms of scarlet fever and is it contagious?
Scarlet fever is a childhood illness that some might associate with the past, but it remains fairly common in the UK. In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in cases. Here, we answer the most common questions about scarlet fever, what to look out for and how to reduce its spread.
-
Unlock the MHRA Regulatory Advice Service for Medical Devices
Do you need help navigating regulatory requirements for a medical device? In December 2025, we launched the new MHRA Regulatory Advice Service for medical devices, offering those developing and working with medical devices the opportunity to meet directly with the …
-
Smart banking: How one trust generated nearly three teachers' worth of additional funding
Louise Davy, Chief Financial Officer at South East Essex Academy Trust (SEEAT), shares how strategic banking changes delivered around £200,000 in additional income. We had a system that had worked well enough in the past – but recognised times were …
-
Do one thing for forests
For Forestry Stewardship Council’s Forest Week, this blog brings together 6 organisations working across UK forestry, each sharing one practical thing they are doing for forests, from certification and agroforestry to urban treescapes, climate adaptation and timber use.
-
One role, many departments: defining agile coaching across government
Agile coach is now a recognised Government Digital and Data role on the Capability Framework, bringing greater clarity, consistency and opportunity across the profession.
-
Where communities and nature meet: lessons from Pear Tree Park
By Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England In this blog, NE Chair Tony Juniper reflects on his recent visit to Pear Tree Park in Ealing with the Deputy Mayor Mete Coban to talk about the importance of green spaces for …
-
Can nuclear regulation protect people and the environment and support innovation? Moving from promise to safe, sustainable progress.
Jake Surman is the Environment Agency’s innovation lead in our nuclear strategy team. As the Heads of Innovation Forum meets for its annual meeting Jake provides an update on our work New nuclear technologies, novel uses of radioactive substances and advancing digital innovations could help the UK produce cheaper low carbon energy, speed-up nuclear decommissioning …
-
Moving Share Homes for Ukraine data’s code to open source
Share Homes for Ukraine data, our in-house system for managing Homes for Ukraine data turned one this week. In this blog post, we talk about how we recently open-sourced the code for the system and why it matters.
-
One question from a trustee changed everything about how we manage our finances
Shaukat Islam, CEO and Executive Headteacher, Inspire Education Community Trust, Birmingham, shares how a DfE-approved savings platform transformed how the trust maximises returns on its reserves. Like most school leaders, I'm cautious with public money. When I first heard about …
-
Enrichment activities: what parents need to know
Thousands more young people will get the chance to take part in activities beyond the classroom, thanks to a £22.5 million government investment in more than 400 schools in disadvantaged communities. The funding builds on the government’s recently published Enrichment …
-
Dragons' Den IP Blog - Series 23 Episode 12
Pasta, soup and a whole mix of intellectual property - the ingredients in this episode of Dragons' Den have plenty to engage the tastebuds.
-
Shaping the future of occupational standards, by Tessa Griffiths and Sarah Maclean
It is vital that the skills system is in the best place possible to support growth and transform the lives and careers of people across the nation for years to come. Occupational standards are at the heart of our technical …
-
Take a look at what’s in store at DataConnect 26
Join public sector data, digital and AI professionals to share learning, explore real-world case studies and build valuable connections.
-
Creating the conditions for transformation
CustomerFirst shares early lessons from its work with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
-
Help shape our new contractual control service
HM Land Registry is developing a new service for recording and submitting contractual control information. Join our upcoming private beta to help ensure the service works effectively for legal professionals.
-
An update on how we use remote monitoring to support environmental land management agreements
Remote monitoring is one of the ways we check that funded environmental actions are achieving the expected results. It helps us to understand what is working well and identify where farmers and landowners would benefit from extra support. Since our …
-
Spectrum Technologies – to the moon and back
From commercial aircraft to missions orbiting the moon and beyond, Spectrum Technologies designs and manufactures world-leading technology that keeps critical systems connected. Founder member Dr Peter Dickinson explains how intellectual property has helped turn ground-breaking innovation into global commercial success.