The whisky tasting took place in the presence of international taster and Johnnie Walker Ambassador, Mr. Charlos Swett.

During her speech Ambassador Sarah Dickson said:

“Burns Night commemorates...

Users should also note an ad hoc publication will be released covering the use of the newly introduced Exceptional Case Funding. These figures have not previously been published and are provided to meet growing...

Somerset floods

This short video explores the Office for National Statistics programme of Natural Capital and World Wetlands Day. The 2nd of February marks World Wetlands Day, celebrating the signing of the Convention on Wetlands...

The third edition of Civil Service Quarterly includes articles on:

promoting Britain through the GREAT campaign legislation.gov.uk, and making Good Law the opportunities...

In November 2013 the NCS Trust, an independent Community Interest Company, took over responsibility for National Citizen Service (NCS) from the Cabinet Office. The NCS Trust is funded by Cabinet Office...

Updated: removed policy tag, corrected URL in covering note

The multiplier tables are produced to help scheme administrators correctly apply the annual increase to public service pensions, taking into account...

The Health and Wellbeing Framework, launching in summer 2014, aims to use PHE’s role as a national body for public health to get people talking about health and wellbeing, rather than illness.

We hope...

An operator was killed when a Genie Z135/70 mobile elevating work platform became unstable and overturned whilst it was working at or very close to its maximum height.

In order to minimise the risks of...

The Rt Hon Earl Howe, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Quality in the Department of Health, signed the Memorandum with His Excellency Dr Ali Saad Al-Obaidi, Minister of Health for Kuwait. The MoU, signed...

The Court of Appeal has today increased the sentences of Ilyat and Tallat Ashar from 13 and 5 years to 15 and 6 years’ imprisonment respectively.

Last year Ilyas Ashar was convicted of human trafficking...

The proposed NDR would be a dual-carriageway distributor road which would link the A1067 Fakenham Road at Attlebridge in the west, to the A47 at Postwick in the east over a length of 20.1km. The alignment includes...

On 13 January 2014 the Cabinet Secretary was asked by the Prime Minister to lead an urgent review into allegations of UK involvement in the Indian operation at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar in June 1984. His ...

Horn Lane - EIRs information about the government’s considerations since 1 January 2011 of the likelihood of the Horn Lane site reporting breaches of the daily limit value for particles (PM10) in 2011, 2012, ...

Phones FOI: how many Defra staff have been issued with smart phones, standard mobile phones, tablet computers and standard laptops in each of the past 3 financial years, and the number of them reported lost or...

Telephone contract - FOI information about Defra’s telephone system maintenance contract including: contract type; existing supplier; annual average spend; number of users; hardware brand; applications running...

The members of the CMA board are set out in the ‘Our management’ section of the CMA’s home page.

The members of the CMA board are set out in the ‘Our management’ section of the CMA’s home page.

The members of the CMA board are set out in the ‘Our management’ section of the CMA’s home page.

These files show all Public Health England financial transactions over £25,000 in November 2013.

These files show all purchases on Public Health England held government procurement cards (GPC) over £500 in November 2013.

Headteachers, members of the expert groups who contributed to the design of the new curriculum and others speak about how they are using the new national curriculum in their schools and about how schools...

Updated: Updated the common basic data set (CBDS) database with 28 January 2014 version.

The CBDS defines common data items used in software systems across government, local authorities and schools. The...

Updated: Added updated files for ESTC Std 6 Part 2 BCE Schedule 2 Site Issue 2 and ESTC Std 6 Part 2 BCE Schedule 1 Buildings Issue 2.

Explosives storage and transport committee Standard No. 6 is the Ministry...

Updated: Updated lesson plan, guidance and promotional materials, and added new flyer.

Why run a Rock Enrol! session?

Just 55% of 17- and 18-year-olds are registered to vote compared with 90% of those ...

Updated: Amendments to some sub-total formulae in Tables 1 and 2 of the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit expenditure by local authority 1996/97 to 2012/13 tables. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures...

February 3rd 2014 - ISIS has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Spallation Source (ESS) concerning an extensive programme of technological collaboration, ranging from accelerator diagnostics ...

The 2014 call for applications and nominations to STFC's Science Board, Committees and Peer Review Panels is now open A number of vacancies have arisen for outstanding individuals to become members of STFC's Committees...

19 Olympic and 17 Paralympic sports continuing to receive significant funding for the Rio cycle following Annual Investment Review

After the end of our three year, six part conference series on global food and agriculture systems, we launch a set of resources to share what we learned.

What challenges are facing global food ...

A new public record of how councillors vote on their budget, including Council Tax, will further protect hard-working families, Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles announced today (4 February 2014).

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The public is being reminded about the law when it comes to finding wreck material on our coastline.

The warning comes after a number of people have taken equipment from the French fishing boat Le Sillon...

The facility time allocation has been falling since November 2011, when the first snapshot of paid union activity in government was taken. The new figures, for quarter 3 of 2013, show that:

the number...

As well as the drugs haul, UK troops intercepted hundreds of rounds of ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Soldiers from the 9th/12th Royal Lancers and 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment...

Asked whether the PM was concerned the Help to Buy scheme was causing a London housing bubble, the PMS said the PM thought Help to Buy was an excellent scheme. 75% of properties purchased using Help to Buy were...

Asked about money which may be available to the UK to pay for foodbanks, the PMS said that he had not seen the figures but, if this was about EU structural funds then the UK is best placed to decide how the funds...

Presents results for UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions, as well as performance against targets.

The severe weather recovery scheme provides support to local authorities in England that incurred, or will incur recovery costs as a result of flooding caused by the east coast tidal surge on 5 and 6 December...

The Black Country City Deal will build on the long history and high performance of Black Country manufacturing and support the growth of high value manufacturing (HVM), particularly in the automotive and aerospace...

Updated: Controlled drug list updated on 4 February 2014.

The following is a list of the most commonly encountered drugs currently controlled under the misuse of drugs legislation showing their respective...

This guidance is intended to help public sector organisations that are unable to fully migrate away from Windows XP prior to its end of support date by providing short-term mitigation advice.

Please ...

Updated: Minor correction in AppLocker Group Policy settings

This guidance is for public sector organisations to follow when deploying end user devices for remote working at OFFICIAL.

Please send...

Updated: Minor correction in AppLocker Group Policy settings

This guidance is for public sector organisations to follow when deploying end user devices for remote working at OFFICIAL.

Please send...

Updated: Organogram updated 4 February 2014

DFID organisational chart

On 13 January 2014 the Cabinet Secretary was asked by the Prime Minister to lead an urgent review into allegations of UK involvement in the Indian operation at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar in June 1984. His ...

‘Traded carbon values’ have been developed for modelling energy market production and investment decisions.

Eimates for EU Emission Allowances (EUAs) have been used in DECC’s emission projections model and other models of electricity generation and investment across government.

Updated: Rural poverty stats published today.

This edition of the Digest includes updates on:

Businesses Capital investment Transport Health Poverty

Local level data sets have been...

Updated: Updated guidance on public sector business cases using the 'five case model' published

The Green Book is guidance for central government produced by the Treasury on how publicly funded bodies should...

The first document provides details about the fund. The second document states the eligibility criteria that all bids must meet. Please read these carefully. Prior to applying we encourage early engagement with...

This issue contains information about:

Universal Credit and rented housing the deadline for submissions of subsidy and Discretionary Housing Payment claims the CIS ATLAS interests refresh local authority...

Updated: Updated with information of projects from the third and final tranche of the Libor fund

In December 2012, the importance of the covenant was highlighted by the decision of the Chancellor to transfer...

Entrepreneurial museum & gallery workshops

Grayson Perry Tapestries at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, and the Lord Chancellor, the Right Honourable Chris Grayling MP, were saddened to learn of the death of Her Honour Judge Jane Shipley on 3 February 2014.

Foreign Secretary

Asked about the Foreign Secretary’s meeting with his German counterpart, the PMS said he expected EU reform and Iran to be discussed alongside other issues.

Smoking in Cars

Asked about...

Pub opening hours

Asked for clarification regarding the proposals for pub opening hours during the football world cup, the PMS said that, following a request from the Prime Minister, the government was consulting...

Updated: New information regarding the unaffiliated sites

DVLA warns that when applying online for your driving licence, you should always make sure you use the official GOV.UK site.

DVLA has been...

The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Education Secretary have today (Tuesday 4 February) announced a new &pound;500,000 fund to train teachers in software coding, so our schools can inspire the next generation...

Minister for Immigration (Mark Harper):

The government has decided not to opt in at this stage to the draft council decisions concerning the signature and conclusion of the agreement between the European Union...

With permission, Mr Speaker, I wish to make a statement on the Cabinet Secretary’s report on the Indian Operation at Sri Harmandir Sahib, also called the Golden Temple, in Amritsar in June 1984.

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Secretary of State Edward Davey said:

“We have reached an important milestone today. The UK has met its first carbon budget, which is the first step in fulfilling our commitment to cut Britain’s emissions...

The animals were discovered inside an item of luggage by officers carrying out customs checks at the airport’s Terminal 5 on Monday 3 February.

Each was wrapped in an individual sock. Twelve survived ...

Ex-armed forces personnel in need of housing will be able to benefit from funding for life-changing accommodation initiatives across the country, Defence Minister Anna Soubry has announced today, 4 February.

The multiplier tables are produced to help scheme administrators correctly apply the annual increase to public service pensions, taking into account increases from previous years.

Public service pensions...

This guidance provides a single point of reference for suppliers of alcohol and local authorities in England and Wales for banning the sale of alcohol below the cost of duty plus VAT.

It provides comprehensive...

Additional data tables produced as part of the employment monitoring report 2012 to 2013.

Some of these tables are already contained in the employment monitoring report 2012 to 2013 but have been...

Updated: Latest timetable published.

DECC’s timetable of statistical releases for twelve months ahead is detailed below; all releases are National Statistics unless stated otherwise. The timetable will ...

Updated: New Investment and Risk update for January 2014

A round-up of forecasts and data with a special focus feature in each issue.

Previous issues of the GAD investment and risk update can be...

Updated: Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) rates from 1 January 2014 added.

The government announced in the 2010 spending review that the rate at which Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) is paid would ...

Updated: Updated fees with effect from 10 February

A full list of Consular fees

Scientists funded by NERC will this week start research to find out how quickly sand dunes along the east coast of England recover from the erosion caused by massive storm surges like the one that struck the UK ...

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division).

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, the Senior President of Tribunals, Sir Jeremy Sullivan and the Lord Chancellor, the Right Honourable Chris Grayling MP, were saddened to learn of the death of Judge...

Court of Appeal (Civil Division) judgment

Households and the adults and children living in them, by household economic activity status. It also includes estimates of employment rates of people by parental status.

The EU has welcomed recent decisions by the Chinese authorities to deepen the reform of the justice system and to uphold the Constitution and laws to protect human rights.

However, in recent weeks, the...

Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael today welcomed figures showing that a UK Government scheme has helped nearly 200 families in Scotland purchase new homes. ‪ Speaking on the day the UK Government launched...

During the visit, Mark Simmonds will meet with His Excellency President Joseph Kabila and Foreign Minister Raymond Tshibanda, setting out the UK’s strong support for measures to forge continued economic growth...

This has been the estimated position for some years and now, for the first time, local data on excess weight is available.

The new data also shows for the first time the considerable variation ...

The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Education Secretary have today (Tuesday 4 February) announced a new &pound;500,000 fund to train teachers in software coding, so our schools can inspire the next generation...

I was delighted to be invited to join you again this evening [3 February 2014].

I believe there is no higher compliment for an after dinner speaker than to be invited back to speak again.

<...

My hon Friend the Parliamentary

Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Kris Hopkins) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I refer to my Written Ministerial...

My Rt hon Friend, the Minister of State for Business and Energy (Michael Fallon MP), has today made the following statement;

In July 2013 my Rt hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister (Nick Clegg) announced...

My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister has made the following statement to the House of Commons:

On 31 January 2014 I welcomed President François Hollande to RAF Brize Norton for the 3rd UK-France Summit...

My hon Friend the Minister for Immigration (Mark Harper) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:

I am today announcing proposals to change the fees for immigration and nationality applications...

In July 2013, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced the 102 projects and programmes selected for support in round 4 of the regional growth fund (RGF).

RGF Round 4

In common with...

On 4 July 2013, I made a written statement to Parliament announcing the triennial review of the Security Vetting Appeals Panel—Official Report, column 59WS. I am now pleased to announce the completion of...

I am providing an update for the House on the Department for Communities and Local Government’s work on flood recovery arising from the east coast tidal surge on 5 and 6 December and the widespread severe...

I refer to my written ministerial statement of 16 December 2013, Official Report, columns 69-70WS announcing provisional new homes bonus allocations for local authorities.

The representation period closed...

I am today announcing proposals to change the fees for immigration and nationality applications made to the Home Office and for services provided by the Department. The Government review these fees on a regular...

On 31 January 2014, I welcomed President François Hollande to RAF Brize Norton for the third UK/France summit. We discussed the security and prosperity of our two nations including greater co-operation on...

Freedom of Information query and response for statistics on Attendance Allowance cases in payment by disabling condition – October 2008 to May 2013.

Freedom of Information query and response on how the State Pension figure of &pound;131 for women born between 6 April 1951 and 5 April 1953, was decided?

DECC set up a tracking survey in early 2012 to understand and monitor public attitudes to the Department’s main business priorities. The survey runs four times a year and consists of one longer, annual survey...

Updated: UK greenhouse gas emissions - final figures for 2012 have been published today.

This is a National Statistics publication and complies with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

<...

Updated: Prisoner Pack updated 01/2014

This guide aims to explain the legal and prison system to British Nationals who are imprisoned. You can also read about how to apply for a transfer back to a UK prison...

Updated: Added the summary of responses and government's decision.

We are consulting on 2 proposals to reform the permits which foreign registered aircraft must obtain before they can operate in the UK ...

DECC commissioned a series of surveys to measure the public’s views on smart meters and in-home displays (IHDs). The overall objective of the project was to understand consumer awareness, understanding of and...

Creative Minds project to help change perceptions of learning disabled artists and their work

Following the telephone call this evening, a Downing Street spokesperson said:

Earlier this evening, the Prime Minister called Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a range of bilateral and global...

Young people have got their foot on the career ladder with YouTube, Disney and Google through working with their local Jobcentre Plus (JCP) adviser, Minister for Employment Esther McVey announced today (4 February...

The Queen has been pleased to approve that the honour of Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) be conferred upon Alison Hunter Russell, QC on her appointment as a Justice of the...

The Queen has approved the nomination of the Right Reverend Nicholas Baines, BA, Bishop of Bradford, for election as the new Bishop of Leeds, following the restructuring of the Dioceses of Bradford, Ripon and...

Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael today welcomed figures showing that a UK Government scheme has helped nearly 200 families in Scotland purchase new homes. ‪ Speaking on the day the UK Government launched...

The Statistical Bulletin includes information on the bus service and taxis.

This Statistical Release presents the number of casualties in Wales resulting from personal injury road accidents.

'Report on fertility patterns for UK born and non-UK born mothers in the period 2007 - 2011. Includes investigation of fertility patterns at the country level, and also of countries of birth.'

Weekly death figures provide provisional counts of the number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the latest eight weeks for which data are available.

Weekly prices of unleaded petrol and diesel

Presents results for UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions, as well as performance against targets.

This departmental advice is for schools and relates to:

headteachers test administrators

Instructions are provided for:

administering levels 3 to 5 and level 6 key stage 2 tests returning test...

Updated: Consular rates in local currency have changed due to the exchange rate change

A full list of Consular fees

Touchbase is a monthly publication for external organisations and people who work with or advise our customers. It has news about:

benefits pensions and DWP services relevant news from other government...

Updated: Replaced governors handbook Word 2010 version (.docx) with Word 1997-2003 version (.doc)

The governors’ handbook provides information about the role and legal duties of governing bodies in maintained...

The Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF) data update for February 2014 has been published by Public Health England (PHE).

The data are presented in an interactive data tool that allows users...

Updated: Latest rural poverty statistics released today.

These rural poverty statistics show households below average income (HBAI) which gives an insight into the standard of living of the household population...

The programme (one full day), will comprise presentations and practical demonstrations covering a broad range of topics, including Health and Safety Regulations, training and certification and safe use of chainsaws...

This biennial event serves as a platform for leading practitioners and businesses to share new Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) developments and exchange ideas and experiences on how addressing WSH, contributes...

This ‘Free’ event is primarily aimed at SME’s such as hotels, guest houses, caravan parks, care providers, residential and nursing homes, leisure facilities, schools etc. but will be of interest...

If you want to learn more about the approach to transition and to be actively involved in the implementation of the new offshore Directive, HSE and The Department of Energy and Climate Change are running two ...

Young people have got their foot on the career ladder with YouTube, Disney and Google through working with their local Jobcentre Plus (JCP) adviser, Minister for Employment Esther McVey announced today (4 February...

Human Rights and Democracy Programme

The Human Rights and Democracy Programme (HRDP) is the FCO’s dedicated fund supporting human rights and democracy work overseas. The Programme aims to make a difference to...

The Statistical Bulletin includes information on the bus service and taxis.

This Statistical Release presents the number of casualties in Wales resulting from personal injury road accidents.

'Report on fertility patterns for UK born and non-UK born mothers in the period 2007 - 2011. Includes investigation of fertility patterns at the country level, and also of countries of birth.'

Weekly death figures provide provisional counts of the number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the latest eight weeks for which data are available.

Weekly prices of unleaded petrol and diesel

Presents results for UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions, as well as performance against targets.

This MOT special notice contains information on the presence of catalysts and particulate filters on diesel powered vehicles, jacking the rear of class 5L vehicles and the availability online of MOT modernisation...

A fact sheet for schools including information about:

funding arrangements which pupils are eligible

It also includes a link to an online application form for summer school funding.

Updated: February fees.

A full list of Consular fees

Following the telephone call this evening, a No10 spokesperson said:

Earlier this evening, the Prime Minister called Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a range of bilateral and global issues...

Young people have got their foot on the career ladder with YouTube, Disney and Google through working with their local Jobcentre Plus (JCP) adviser, Minister for Employment Esther McVey announced today (4 February...