WIREDGOV

Blog posted by: Job Tierney, 09 Apr 2021.

A man arrested by the National Crime Agency over his alleged involvement in the smuggling of migrants found dead in a lorry in Essex has had his extradition ordered.

As COVID-19 restrictions lift, Transport Secretary invests in the Bikeability cycling proficiency training scheme so that more people can feel confident cycling.

On 20 April, techUK will host its Open Finance and Inclusion Summit. During the conference's final panel, sponsored by LexisNexis Risk Solutions, speakers will explore how to unlock digital finance for all.

CBI has commented on Duke of Edinburgh.

Thousands of crucial frontline health workers and their dependents will be granted free visa extensions, Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced today.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace today hosted Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar on board the UK’s aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

Investment will provide more specialist places and improve provision for SEND pupils across country.

The need to build national resilience against acute shocks and longer-term threats is acknowledged in the UK government’s latest policy review. Diverting resources to this purpose is now the real challenge.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's statement on the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Non-essential retail, outdoor attractions and some indoor facilities will reopen from Monday 12 April, including in central London and the West End.

Ahead of National Pet Day, the NCSC is encouraging people to use three random words for passwords rather than the names of their pets.

Public fundraising will be permitted to return from Monday 12 April, as part of the next phase of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

The House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee has called on the government to provide it with more information, and in a timelier manner, concerning the December 2020 Brexit agreement with the European Union (EU).

The Charity Commission has appointed an interim manager to the East London-based charity Beth Yosef Foundation.

Bloh posted by: David Billouz – Founder, Ociris and ITIL Product Ambassador, 08 April 2021.

Phase 2 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) is open for applications from public sector organisations wishing to achieve a low carbon heating future.

CERN Director-General, former Foreign Minister for Australia and a Harvard Professor join Professor Sarah Gilbert and Chair Sarah Sands on the GEAC.

The SFO is investigating suspected fraud in relation to the activities of the Raedex Consortium, including the companies Buy2Let Cars, PayGo Cars, Raedex trading as Wheels4Sure and Rent2Own Cars.

Few countries have taken to digital payments as enthusiastically as the UK. With Covid-19 accelerating pre-existing trends in consumer behaviour, digital payments have overtaken cash as the most popular means of paying for goods and services. 

A Dutchman who admitted swallowing 50 packets of cocaine in an attempt to smuggle them into the UK has been jailed for 32 months.

Recommendations include the launch of a new traffic light system and 'green watchlist', and the introduction of travel certification.

The Welsh Government will be accelerating elements of its programme to relax COVID-19 restrictions as cases of new infections continue to fall across Wales, the First Minister yesterday announced.

CMA action results in Facebook going further to combat the trading in fake and misleading reviews on Facebook.com and Instagram.com.

Ten universities around the UK have received official recognition for their postgraduate degrees in cyber security.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s securities markets regulator, yesterday published its annual peer review report on the supervision of EU Central Counterparties (CCPs) by National Competent Authorities (NCAs).

Sports England gave a joint statement with other bodies responsible for public health to encourage collaboration between local leaders and sports providers to facilitate a safe return to play.

A specialist team has been set up by the National Crime Agency and Merseyside Police to tackle high risk organised crime groups bringing drugs and firearms into the region.

Blog posted by: David Craik, 08 Apr 2021.

Leaders of CBI Northern Ireland, the Centre for Competitiveness, the NI Institute of Directors, and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday gave a joint statement.

Findings from the 10th report of REACT-1, one of the country’s largest studies into COVID-19 infections in England, have been published by Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI.

The NHS has boosted support for patients, their families and staff by recruiting 10,000 healthcare support workers (HCSWs) in the first three months of the year.

The Charity Commission is consulting on draft guidance on responsible investments.

Financial exclusion is a major problem globally with billions of people unable to access standard financial services. 

Blog posted by: Rima Evans, 07 Apr 2021.

This event-write up brings together the ideas generated at Reform and Amazon Web Services’ policy hackathon ‘Time to update: Moving away from legacy IT in healthcare’.

The recruitment is a further boost for the government’s Plan for Jobs, which aims to help people of all ages move into work.

The changes that banking is set to undergo over the next decade will be both radical and fundamental. CDOs should use this opportunity to drive greater organisational agility through agile approaches to enterprise data architecture.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU securities regulator, today publishes its third annual statistical report on the Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) sector. 

681 analysts across the public sector have now been trained to use novel data science tools and techniques by the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) Data Science Campus, beating the target set out in the National Data Strategy.

Blog posted by: Fatma Khalil Honours Secretary and Outreach Manager, Honours and Appointments Secretariat, 08 April 2021 – Categories: A Brilliant Civil Service, A great place to work.

Statistics announced today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician show that oil and gas production in Scotland, including Scottish adjacent waters, is estimated to have been 77.2 million tonnes of oil equivalent (mtoe).

British National (Overseas) families coming to the UK on the Hong Kong BN(O) route will benefit from a dedicated package of support to help them settle successfully into life in the UK.

Banks, once so serene, now find themselves in a sea of change that demands a new type of agility.  

Carolyn Wilkins has been appointed as an external member of the Financial Policy Committee (FPC), the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has announced today.

The JCVI has issued new advice regarding the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine after reports of extremely rare blood clots.

The European Securities and Markets Authority, the EU’s securities markets regulator, today published its Final Report containing draft regulatory technical standards (RTS) relating to changes to central counterparty (CCP) services and activities, as well as models and parameters under the European Markets Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR).

Blog posted by: Solmaz Purser - Project Editor, AXELOS, 07 April 2021.

A Daesh stronghold in northern Iraq has been cleared as part of Operation Shader, the Ministry of Defence has announced today.

Next phase of government’s £1.5 billion FE Capital Transformation Fund gets underway, to upgrade and refurbish college estates.

Sets out how and when we plan to lift the current coronavirus restrictions over the coming weeks and months.

Blog posted by: Simon Baugh, Chair of GCS Curriculum and Standards board, 7 April 2021.

While the German Greens’ path to government is almost certain, achieving their foreign and security policy agenda could prove trickier.

There is no military solution to the insurgency in Mozambique. Dialogue, development, and opportunity are needed to drain the support for a radicalized core.

It has been said many times that data is the oil of the digital age, but this metaphor is frequently misunderstood. 

The Government's statement following updated advice from the UK's medicines regulator.

In 2017, Ofgem introduced a financial incentive to drive National Grid Electricity System Operator (National Grid ESO) to produce more accurate forecasts. 

The Chancellor chaired a meeting with G7 counterparts recently (06 April 2021) where they agreed an ambitious green agenda ahead of COP26, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP15 and beyond.

A much-anticipated result from an international science experiment provides strong evidence for the existence of an undiscovered subatomic particle or new force.

Ruth Rankine, director of the NHS Confederation’s PCN Network, responding to the scientific briefing on the AstraZeneca vaccine

The anti-racism industry ‘creates a dependency’ upon a race discourse that sows division, finds a new Civitas report. ‘The tragic consequence’, the report finds, ‘is that racial divisions are becoming ever more firmly entrenched’.

For years, the answer to this question was straightforward: your bank. But then digitisation happened, and with it came many new services: Spotify suggested music you might like, Uber plotted your best route home. Slowly, people started to see the power of data to deliver more convenient and personal services.

We are considering the details of yesterday’s announcements by the MHRA and the JCVI but we do not envisage a delay to the roll out of our vaccine programme in Wales.

Five angling clubs and the Middle Level Commissioners have benefited from a £10,000 tree investment to help wildlife, local communities and fisheries.

Buying consciously has never been more important, and our furniture agreement can help you do just that.

Alex Chisholm, Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary for the Cabinet Office, blogged about our appointments to the senior leadership of the DDaT (Digital, Data and Technology) profession in January of this year.

Starting a new job can be a daunting prospect - especially if it is your first experience of working life, and you are unable to meet your new colleagues in person.

COVID-19 has impacted on how we live and work and so we ask: ‘What do we need to do now to create the culture in our organisations and across our systems that keeps people resilient, connected, and innovative?’  

Further year of work ahead as the scheme to raise the banks of the Ouse Washes flood storage reservoir continues.

We are delighted to announce the launch of 2 new framework agreements for Back Office Software and Software Design and Implementation Services

New head of Homeland Security took up the role at the beginning of April.

Six men have appeared in crown court charged in relation to the seizure of 450kg of MDMA hidden in an excavator that was shipped to Australia.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is creating a new unit based at the National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD) in Newcastle.

HMCTS contract hundreds of extra cleaning staff to carry out enhanced cleaning services and ensure their locations are COVID-secure for staff and visitors

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced a £3 million grants fund to enable community and faith groups to provide winter services for people sleeping rough in 2021/22.

Ofsted has today published plans for a review into safeguarding policies and practices relating to sexual abuse in state and independent schools and colleges.

A DCMS press release has confirmed the ‘shadow’ launch of the Digital Markets Unit based in the Competition and Markets Authority to start looking at how codes of conduct would work in practice to promote competition in digital markets.

With discounts of up to 30% available through our Employee Benefits framework, could you help give your employees a financial boost in 2021?

With the temporary protections from Covid due to be removed end of May, and the Budget not addressing financial support for the private rental sector, it is feared there will be a wave of repossessions and a surge in homelessness in the coming months.

Government awards £3.5 million to support Coventry’s tenure as UK City of Culture 2021

The £23.6 million Deal for Truro will transform Truro into the county’s modern economic, cultural and green capital whilst creating jobs and new homes.

People with chronic primary pain should be offered a range of treatments to help them manage their condition, NICE has said in its guideline on the assessment and management of chronic pain published today (7 April)

School leaders with outstanding records on behaviour selected to support other schools as part of £10 million Behaviour Hubs programme

The British Army will launch defence’s first photovoltaic solar farm at the Defence School of Transport.

Life science companies can now apply to the new £20 million fund to expand manufacturing in the UK, Minister Nadhim Zahawi announced today (Wednesday 7 April).

A tough new regulator to help make sure tech giants such as Facebook and Google cannot exploit their market dominance to crowd out competition and stifle innovation online has launched.

Statement by Unicef Executive Director, Hernrietta Fore

HM Land Registry’s digital Local Land Charges Register continues to grow, enabling the digital transformation of homebuying.

Face coverings in schools and colleges are to remain in place at start of summer term, following an ongoing review of the evidence and data

More disabled people will be helped into work thanks to new government support.

The CIPD urges those employers who have not yet filed their figures to do so now after sharp drop in reporting

The third Covid-19 vaccine is being rolled-out across Wales from today with patients in Carmarthenshire becoming the first in the UK to receive it.

Government Ministers mobilised their departments to prevent food insecurity during the covid-19 pandemic, but the impetus to do so must be sustained as the country re-opens.

The majority of new homes in England are in the most energy efficient bands, according to figures published on Thursday.

Blog posted by: Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, 06 Apr 2021.

Congratulations to the Department for Education, winner of March’s GCS Campaign of the Month competition for their “Uni Safe” campaign.

Everyone in England will be able to access free, regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing from 9 April, the Government has announced.

Majority of pupils back after Easter break.

The EFL Cup Final and an FA Cup Semi-Final are set to be among a range of pilot events hosting audiences as part of the government’s plan to get big crowds back this summer.

A National Insurance contributions holiday for businesses who employ armed forces veterans came into force yesterday (6 April 2021).

Thousands of new, expectant or bereaved mothers will receive help and support for mental health problems through dozens of new dedicated hubs which are being set up across the country.

Customers encouraged to not leave their application to the last minute.

Data is a simultaneously the most exploited and the most under-used commodity of the digital age. 

This week techUK will focus on key topics for the financial services and technology industries which are critical to the UK wider economy as we embark on the economic recovery. 

More than 2000 arts organisations are benefitting from a share of £261 million as part of round two of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.

An injection that cuts the amount of time breast cancer patients spend in hospital from two and a half hours to as little as five minutes is being rolled out across the country by NHS England.

A new government-backed loan scheme launches today (6 April) to provide additional finance to those businesses that need it.

The TUC recently (Friday) warned the UK government and employers that “infections could rebound” if workplaces aren’t Covid-Secure - as hospitality and non-essential shops prepare to reopen in England on 12 April.

From today, councils can apply to the DWP for funding to train frontline staff who regularly come into contact with families facing conflict, so they can intervene at the right time to reduce friction between parents and help shield their children.

Blog posted by: Alex Aiken, Executive Director of Government Communications, 1 April 2021.

Every household is required by law to complete the census and even though Census Day – 21 March 2021 – has been and gone, it is not too late to complete a questionnaire. If you don’t complete it, you may be fined.

Care home residents to be allowed a second regular visitor indoors, with tests required before entry and PPE provided.

Outdoor pubs, shops, gyms and hairdressers to reopen.

Turkey’s support for Azerbaijan in its latest war with Armenia could have much greater ramifications, with Turkey using Azerbaijan’s geographic position as a springboard to reach out to Central Asia.

Chief Operating Officer Doug Umbers is stepping into the role while a successor is sought.

Public Health Wales is making some changes to the way we publish information on our website and data dashboard.

The UK will pioneer the world’s largest ocean wildlife monitoring system to help protect life below water as part of the UK Government Blue Belt programme.

CBI yesterday responded to PM Covid update.

Blog posted by: Natalie Dinnick, 06 April 2021 – Categories: A great place to work, Uncategorized.

Blog posted by: Narinder Dhaliwhal – project, change and agile consultant, NT Training and Consulting, 01 April 2021.

Ordnance Survey (OS) and the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) are delighted to have signed an agreement which extends OS’s corporate support of RGS activities for a further three years.

More than 5 million people in the UK have received their second dose of a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

The Government Communication Service (GCS) Professional Standards team has launched a new curriculum for government communicators, setting out the standards for GCS members by grade, learning level and discipline.

Blog posted by: Christian Doherty 01 Apr 2021.

As Governments, organisations and individuals around the world seek to tackle the challenges of climate change, creativity and innovation are key to finding ways to improve our resilience to weather and climate.

Shelagh Legrave will lead work to boost college leadership and governance.

The Chief Statistician has released figures on the Scottish Welfare Fund, the Self-Isolation Support Grant and Discretionary Housing Payments up to February 2021.

The Treasury Committee recently launched a new inquiry into jobs, growth, and productivity after coronavirus.

Welsh local authorities can transfer their Local Land Charges (LLC) services to HM Land Registry’s national register from 1 April 2021.

A small, portable device that can zap away excruciating headaches is now available to anyone who needs it on the NHS.

New chief executive marked her first day with a visit to Colindale laboratories in North London, accompanied by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

CBI Wales recently (01 April 2021) responded to publication of roadmap for exiting lockdown restrictions.

Boris Johnson and Oliver Dowden met with the biggest names in broadband last week, praising the industry for creating more than 22,000 jobs over the last year.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and his Qatari counterpart, HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, have announced an expansion of the relationship between each nation’s air force.

As we move out of lockdown, Fiona Colley, Director of StreetLink, discusses the picture of rough sleeping in England, the support available to people and what will happen next as StreetLink works alongside other services to help end rough sleeping.

Scientists and researchers will get an extra £250 million funding this year to support pioneering research and drive the UK’s ambitions to become a science superpower.

We are investigating the use of force by an Essex Police officer during the arrest of a man in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.

Details of more than 2,700 organisations being offered nearly £400 million in grants and loans to help the culture and heritage sector reopen and recover has been announced

Suspected members of an organised crime group responsible for selling vast quantities of MDMA on the dark web have been targeted in raids across the North East and Surrey.

Over £1 million to expand cadet units in schools

Nine innovative business-led research partnerships to develop technologies such as accelerated medicine discovery, green household products and sensor technology for drivers.

A 19-year-old woman who was seriously injured in a road collision in South London has sadly died. We are now appealing for witnesses as we investigate the circumstances of the collision in Streatham early on Sunday (28 March).