10042posts
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Local plans: we want your feedback on the new plans service
A new gov.uk digital service for Local Planning Authorities (LPA) called Submit Development Plans is under construction now and will be available for the first new system local plans as they reach Gateway 2, in early 2027. Ben Duckworth, Digital Lead for this service, outlines what to expect from our first digital service for plans …
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A quick look at...programme officers
Every local plan needs a programme officer (PO) to keep things moving along smoothly. With so many legacy local plans progressing towards examination, if you are aiming for a legacy submission and haven’t yet lined up your PO then now's a good time.
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How smarter banking earned Trinity Multi- Academy Trust £258,000 to put back into their school
David Sheard, Group Chief Financial Officer at Trinity Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), shares how the Department for Education (DfE) approved Insignis savings platform generated over a quarter of a million pounds in just over a year – money that is now …
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What is Grow?
The Test, Learn and Grow programme is working to design and improve public services so that everyone, whether you use, deliver, or design them, can see and feel the difference. We believe that a more iterative, person-centred and place-based approach …
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Kinship care: turning ambition into lived experience
To mark the 10th anniversary of Kinship Care Week, National Kinship Care Ambassador, Dr Jahnine Davis, sets out why recognising kinship care is so important.
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Regulatory Policy Committee: Corporate Report 2025-26
The RPC has today published its corporate report for 2025-26, showcasing a year of strong performance, growing influence and continued commitment to improving the quality of evidence underpinning government regulation.
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RPC publishes new regulatory scorecard case histories guidance
New guidance to help policy teams across Whitehall develop stronger regulatory scorecards within options assessments and impact assessments.
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A faster start to local plan-making: introducing the 'Submit a site for a local plan' tool
Local planning authorities (LPAs) can spend months handling inconsistent site submissions for their local plan. We have built a free tool to standardise how site information is submitted, helping authorities save time making their assessments, and contributing to faster plan-making. We're now looking for LPAs to help us test it.
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Regulating a nuclear reactor through decommissioning
In 2022, after 46 years of generation, Hinkley Point B (HPB) switched off its last operational reactor and began defueling. The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) declared the site free of nuclear fuel in January 2026. Alister, our Hinkley Point …
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Helping young people turn experience into opportunity: introducing the Employability Skills Framework, by Gemma Marsh
Every young person develops valuable skills throughout their lives. Whether it is balancing study with caring responsibilities, captaining a sports team, volunteering in their community, organising events, or completing coursework projects, young people gain capabilities that employers consistently tell us …
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Representation Matters: We Belong In Every Story. See Us. Hear Us. Read Us.
The National Year of Reading 2026 is the biggest campaign in a generation designed to help more people discover and rediscover the joy of reading and make it part of their everyday lives. Public libraries have been at the heart …
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Proud of What We Have Built Together
This month in our Blog - our Deputy Director Dr Victoria Hanna reflects on the progress Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) has made. When I think about what Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) is doing, I feel an enormous sense …
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Environmental permits: why they matter and how we're making it quicker to get one
Every year, the Environment Agency processes over 13,000 permit applications. These decisions cover an enormous range of activity. From a small waste transfer site to permits regulating how the nation handles nuclear waste, every single one matters because they protect …
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Evaluation of the TRA investigation process: insight from our stakeholders and staff
Today we have published a research report prepared by an independent research agency, Savanta, for the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA). This report presents the findings of the agency’s evaluation of our investigation process, based on insights from external stakeholders and …
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Building the foundations for better data sharing across the UK
Data has the potential to improve services, support innovation and drive growth, but sharing it across organisations can be complex and costly. GDS is supporting the National Digital Twin Programme, which has been developing the foundations needed for secure, trusted data sharing across organisational boundaries.
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UK NSC consults on repeat screening for syphilis in pregnancy
The UK NSC has opened a public consultation on repeat screening for syphilis in pregnancy.
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Could you help stop the next animal or plant disease outbreak? Discover APHA's free virtual work experience programme
Anywhere, anytime, and completely free: APHA's new virtual work experience programme opens the door to careers protecting animal and plant health.
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An introduction to green finance for farmers and landowners
Harry Joyce, Economist at the Forestry Commission, explains what green finance is and how it benefits landowners and the environment.
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Testing how AI could help improve case readiness in the Crown Court
We want to use court time as effectively as possible. That means making sure that, where possible, cases are ready to proceed when they come before a judge. As part of our wider work to tackle delays and improve the way the justice system works, HMCTS and the Ministry of Justice are exploring where artificial …
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What owning land or property near a public highway can mean
This guide explains how public highways can affect property boundaries, ownership and responsibility for land.
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Learning, growing and feeling valued as a developer
MHCLG Digital has launched early-career opportunities for 5 Junior Developers to join our teams in Manchester. Mohsina, one of our developers, shares how support from colleagues has helped her build her skills and grow professionally since joining the department as a junior developer in 2024.
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Don't spark disaster: changing public behaviour as UK wildfire risk grows
Nina tells us about the impact of wildfires on the North York Moors, and how her team are adapting their public communications to meet this evolving risk.
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Forests and people: why managing forests for people matters
Alison Hallas, Woodland Access Adviser at the Forestry Commission, explores how the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) offers a practical framework to woodland owners to manage woodlands and forests for people, and respond to real world challenges.
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Assembling architects to improve local public services
Architects came together for our first ‘Architects Assemble’, to create firmer foundations for technology and data, and ultimately better outcomes for communities.
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Get Tech Certified 2026: build your technology and digital skills for free
Get Tech Certified 2026 is now live, with free digital and technology learning and recognised certifications for the UK public sector.
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Helping probation practitioners spend less time searching and more time supporting people
When probation practitioners take on a new case, they often need to quickly understand a person's history, risks and support needs. That information is stored in Delius, the main case management system used across probation, where more than 40 million …
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Understanding surrogate outcomes in cancer screening research trials
Cancer Research UK event gives insight into UK NSC position on use of surrogate outcomes in cancer screening trials.
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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. Sustainable water abstraction is essential to ensure that river flows and groundwater levels support ecology and natural resilience. We work side by side with abstractors, combining their knowledge of the land with ours, to …
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Help for first time directors: Training and resources from the Institute of Directors (IoD)
In this guest blog post, the Institute of Directors (IoD) shares information on training and resources to help first time directors understand their responsibilities.
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My first day at Natural England: sustainable development for people and nature
In this post, new Natural England Chief Executive, Neil Hornby, reflects on his first day at Natural England and his ambitions for the organisation.
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Rollout begins of in-service evaluation of SMA screening in England
The in-service evaluation of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy is under way in NHS services in England.
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From community meadows to nature corridors: Local Nature Recovery Strategies in action
Discover how these community-owned plans are making a real difference, both locally and nationally.
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My journey from communications to delivery management
MHCLG Digital has launched early-career opportunities for 5 Associate Delivery Managers to join our teams in Manchester. Find out from Pippa, Senior Delivery Manager, what she has learnt since moving from communications to delivery management, including the valuable transferable skills she brought to her role and what it means to be a delivery manager.
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Work in care? Help protect yourself and people you care for
Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, and Sarah McClinton, Chief Social Worker for Adults, address those working in care about the importance of getting the flu vaccine.
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Help us test the DVS register’s machine-readable infrastructure
The Office for Digital Identities and Attributes (OfDIA) is inviting digital verification service providers (DVSPs) to help test new infrastructure that will make the digital verification services (DVS) register machine-readable. As the DVS market grows, it will become increasingly important for organisations to …
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Building on the PSGA: better data, wider impact
The Public Sector Geospatial Agreement has transformed access to Britain’s national location data. We look at what GDS, Ordnance Survey and public-sector users have achieved together, how organisations are using the data and how the next phase can build on …
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Consultation opens on three joint UK pelagic FMPs
Have your say on proposed joint UK fisheries management plans covering greater silver smelt and horse mackerel. Submit your response by 10 November 2026.
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Wrong pipe, wrong place: the misconnection problem
Elizabeth Maerz, Environment Officer for Cumbria Every day, our officers investigate pollution reports across the country's rivers and lakes. Surprisingly often, the cause is something quite ordinary: a household drainage system connected the wrong way round. Windermere, England's largest lake, …
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Latest statement in response to small boat crossings
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We have made progress tackling the small boats. Crossings are down significantly, and we have just recorded the lowest number of summer arrivals since 2020. “We are taking action, with joint efforts preventing over 48,000 …
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There is no such thing as a typical woman in tech
Across Justice Digital, Data and Technology (JDDS), we know that diverse teams build better services. Our Technology Services colleagues play a vital role in delivering and supporting the technology that underpins justice services across the Ministry of Justice. From networks …