8614posts
-
National Apprenticeship Week 2026: The value of a personal perspective
Dr Beverley MacKenzie As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2026, Dr Beverley MacKenzie, a lifelong advocate of apprenticeships, reflects on their unique value in combining academic study with real-world experience. Why apprenticeships matter From my experience, apprenticeships at all levels …
-
Creating a Vehicle Examination Facility network for approvals tests
We’re transforming the way we conduct vehicle approval services, introducing Vehicle Examination Facilities for Individual Vehicle Approval and Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval...
-
More support for children through foster care: what you need to know
Foster carers provide safe, stable homes for children who cannot live with their birth families. For many children, fostering offers the chance to grow up in a caring family environment, close to their community.
-
Greener, Faster, Better: How Partnership Working is Streamlining Development on the Lower Thames Crossing
By Marian Spain, CEO of Natural England It’s not often that a major infrastructure project is associated with being green, but recently I visited a project which aims to be ‘Britain’s greenest road’. This is a bold claim but one …
-
How the Better Regulation Framework promotes competition to deliver affordable prices, innovation and growth
The Better Regulation Framework requires departments to assess how policies affect market competition. Regulations can inadvertently harm consumers and growth by creating barriers for new businesses and innovative competitors. Policymakers should use the CMA's checklist to identify competition impacts and explore alternatives that protect smaller firms and potential market entrants.
-
Funding Service: How we built a new funding platform for MHCLG
Over the past year, the Funding Service has been building a new funding platform for the department based on an entirely new single codebase. This post outlines the technical choices and approach that guided the build of the platform, and how the functionality will support MHCLG to deliver grants faster, better and cheaper.
-
Introducing the new nutrient management planning tool on GOV.UK
Managing nutrients effectively is one of the most important jobs a farmer does. To make this easier, we’ve launched a new tool on GOV.UK.
-
UK Space Agency Accelerator drives investment and growth across space sector
The UK Space Agency Accelerator announced impressive results from its 2025 Explore and Leo accelerator cohorts, demonstrating how targeted support can rapidly accelerate investment, revenue growth and commercial readiness among UK space entrepreneurs.
-
Looking back, looking forward: farewell reflections from the Chair of the Forestry Commission
Sir William Worsley, outgoing Chair of the Forestry Commission, reflects on six years leading the organisation and shares his thoughts on the priorities that will shape the future of England’s forests.
-
From Redbox to Assist: Building AI tools that balance innovation and trust
When I.AI closed their Redbox product in December 2025, DBT had already diverged substantially from that original platform. Two years of user research and iteration created something distinct, shaped by the specific needs of civil servants working with Official Sensitive material.
-
National Apprenticeship Week 2026: A future in metrology at National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
Andrew Burgon – Measurement Scientist Apprentice, NPL Andrew shares his journey and growing passion for metrology and quantum technologies through his apprenticeship at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) during National Apprenticeship Week 2026. Discovering a new passion I didn't necessarily have a deep passion …
-
One year as a RISE adviser: What I've learned about school improvement
To celebrate the one-year anniversary of RISE this year, a RISE adviser talks about why they applied for the role and share learnings from their experiences.
-
Update on our approach to market interventions
How our new markets regime guidance will streamline our approach and minimise uncertainty for businesses.
-
Final Roulement Infantry Company (RIC) Exercise: Training where it counts
Falkland Islands - January 2026 For B Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, the Falkland Islands provided a demanding and memorable setting for their final exercise whilst based at the Falkland Islands. Isolated in the South Atlantic and separated …
-
Forever chemicals: the problem and our plan
'Forever chemicals' - or PFAS - have been making headlines. PFAS are used in many products we rely on every day – cookware, clothing, packaging. Their durability is useful, but it also means they stay in the environment for a long time. That's why the government is publishing its first PFAS plan setting out an evidence-based approach to tackling these persistent chemicals, protecting public health and the …
-
Why do we close the rating list?
You have until 31 March 2026 to request changes to your current valuation for business rates. Here we explain why there’s a deadline.
-
A new mapping tool to support beaver reintroductions and dispersal across England
By Heather White - Senior Data Scientist and Daveron Smith - Principal Data Scientist In this blog, we launch the Beaver Considerations Assessment Toolkit (BCAT), a new mapping tool that has been developed by Natural England (NE), in collaboration with …
-
First precision breeding and low emissions projects awarded funding
From rubber made from dandelions to climate‑friendly faba beans in dairy farming, we’re pleased to highlight the innovative projects to receive funding under the first round of precision‑breeding and low‑emissions competitions.
-
LEDS: Police data in the digital age
This technical case study explains how a successful collaboration between the Home Office and the police has created a modern, accessible and API-led law enforcement data platform.
-
Leaving the legacy behind: our journey to modernise court technology
This two-part blog series looks back at our behind-the-scenes technological transformation. In part one, we look at the overall modernisation journey – why it was necessary, the scale of the challenge and what it means for justice delivery.
-
Free breakfast club roll out: everything you need to know
What is the new free breakfast club scheme? We have introduced free breakfast clubs - 30-minute sessions before school where children get a free breakfast so they to start every day ready to learn. Currently more than 180,000 pupils …
-
Testing new planning data standards with industry: what we learned from phase 1 and where we go next
We've completed the first phase of testing new data standards for planning applications. Working with local planning authorities, software suppliers and the Planning Portal, we examined how draft specifications align with real systems and workflows. The result? A clearer understanding of what works and what needs refining before wider implementation.
-
Dragons Den IP Blog - Series 23 Episode 1
The Den is looking a little different this season, as Sara Davies has left the Dragons’ lair. A new guest Dragon will be joining each week, and for this episode the guest was Jenna Meek, CEO of beauty brand REFY who was ready and waiting to meet tonight’s band of keen hopefuls.
-
New and updated enforcement framework – a message from Giles Thomson, Director of OFSI
Today, 29 January 2026, we are publishing OFSI’s public consultation response on proposed changes to our enforcement processes. Under our revised framework, these changes will support compliance, give firms greater certainty and ensure our approach to enforcing financial sanctions is …
-
Taking Flight- The new Clean Catch seabird bycatch monitoring and mitigation trial
Written by Emily Roebuck, Eastern England Fish Producer’s Organisation (EEFPO) trial lead, Cefas On Monday 15 December 2025, the Clean Catch team was invited to present at the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fisheries. The APPG is a cross-party forum …
-
The UK Trade Mark Register at 150: what next?
Guest bloggers Annabelle Whatmough and Anne Barrett look at what the future holds for trade marks following the 150th anniversary of the Trade Mark Registry.
-
Strengthening antimicrobial resistance surveillance in pets and horses
VMD Voices: Our Experts Explain
-
Building on success: funding for new OCEAN projects
In November 2024 at COP29, we shared the 20 projects we'd funded through the first round of our Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature (OCEAN) Grants Programme. Today, we're delighted to be back with an update that we're building on first round success and awarding £14 million to community projects through the second funding round.
-
Suspensions: How suspensions in school can help tackle behaviour and boost pupil support
Schools will be supported to introduce internal suspensions as part of their behaviour policies. Suspensions are meant to be a serious response to poor behaviour. But when pupils are sent home, they can miss learning, spend long periods unsupervised and fall further behind.
-
Operation AUSTRAL ENDURANCE: Building Antarctic capability through cooperation
British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) personnel based at Mount Pleasant Complex have worked with Chilean counterparts and UK partners to strengthen safe, treaty‑compliant access to one of the world’s most demanding operating environments. Background and direction In December 2025, …
-
Coverage of leasehold announcement
There has been significant and widespread media coverage of a major shake-up of the outdated leasehold system, announced by the government yesterday. Over 5 million leaseholders and future homeowners will benefit from stronger control, powers and protections, through the draft …
-
Towards a comprehensive National Underground Asset Register, integrated into the existing ecosystem
The goal of the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) is to make street works safer and more efficient by bringing together underground asset data in a standard form, securely accessible in one place. Informed by extensive consultation, we are designing regulations that ensure that the …
-
A look back at DVLA and Amazon Web Services (AWS)’s knowledge-sharing event
Simon Cromwell, ITS Strategy and Communication Lead, reflects on our recent event with Welsh Local Government and public sector colleagues. From cloud technology to developing digital careers, we explored what we've learnt and why investing in people is just as important as investing in technology.
-
How people used GOV.UK in 2025
User insights help us to understand how we can develop GOV.UK to ensure it continues to meet people’s needs and work well for everyone. Learn about some of 2025’s main findings across the GOV.UK website, app and social media channels.
-
AI Skills Boost: Skills England’s AI foundation skills for work benchmark supports free AI training for all, by Phil Smith
Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are changing the way we work. In order to benefit from the opportunities AI presents, boost economic growth and career success, it’s essential that people have the right skills and are confident in using them. The challenge Too many people in the UK lack digital …
-
OFSI and partners clamp down on the abuse of cryptoassets
Sanctions enablers are increasingly turning to cryptoassets to move and hide illicit funds, including those linked to sanctions evasion. But every transaction leaves a trace. By working together, UK agencies are following those traces to identify, investigate and disrupt criminal …
-
Time to Adapt: Helping Coastal Communities Prepare for a Changing Coast
From seaside towns to quiet rural stretches, England’s coastline is one of the country’s most valued assets. It is home to thriving communities, beautiful landscapes and vital infrastructure that we all rely on. But the coast is also one of the places where the impacts of climate change are being felt most clearly.
-
Improving the way Google delivers search services in the UK
Find out more about our proposed conduct requirements relating to Google’s general search and search advertising services.
-
Housing Secretary rallies sector at housing and infrastructure roundtables
This week the Housing Secretary and Housing Minister, along with the Chancellor and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, convened the country’s biggest housebuilders including Vistry, Permission, Taylor Wimpey, and Barratt Redrow to seek their views on proposed planning reforms …
-
Why Nature Close to Home Matters: Evidence from the People and Nature Survey
By Lydia Dixon, People and Nature Deputy Director, Natural England A daily dose of nature boosts physical and mental health, strengthens communities, and can save the NHS millions every year. These benefits are often greatest for people in nature-deprived communities, who gain disproportionately from …