Sign up for DataConnect21!

DataConnect21 is a week of data events run by teams from across government and the public sector starting on 27 September. We’ve got sessions on data quality, maturity, standards, analysis and many other data-related subjects.

You can see our full programme and sign up for sessions.

From highly technical to highly strategic, from data design through to data sharing, there’s something for everyone.

As part of DataConnect21, the Government Data Quality Hub is running a series of sessions on data quality:

Data Quality Strategies

Thinking about a data quality strategy? Learn more about making the case for your strategy, how to write it and how to keep it alive once it’s published.

Data Quality Assessment

Data Quality Action Plans feature in the Government Data Quality Framework. Find out more about what they are and how they can help you, or join one of our workshops to work through making a Data Quality Action Plan for your data.

Analysis & Statistics

Find out more about a new framework that can help you assess the quality of administrative data in statistics. Working in data analysis? Come to our workshop on what analysts need to know about quality.

Data Collection

Good quality data starts with good design! Let us know what training and guidance would help you with better data collection.

And also…

How can you evaluate the impact of data work? Find out how to overcome some of the challenges you might face and share tips for better evaluation.

What does mature data management look like? Hear from organisations that are using data maturity models and find out more about what’s in development from the Government Data Quality Hub.

These sessions are just the start of what’s on offer in DataConnect21. We have over 200 people planning to attend across the week and we hope you will join us. Sign up now and help to spread the word across your organisation.

If you have any questions about DataConnect21, email dataconnect21@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk



Chief Constable rewards long service and good conduct

News story

Chief Constable Simon Chesterman awarded long service and good conduct medals to two officers at Harwell Operational Police Unit (OPU) this week

Sgt Nick Whitebrook and PC Chris Kent receiving their awards

Sgt Nick Whitebrook joined as an Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO) in August 2001 and was posted to Harwell, before passing his sergeant exams and interview in 2004. In 2007 Nick qualified as a national firearms instructor and provided firearms training around the south using local facilities.

In 2009 Nick returned to Harwell OPU as a section sergeant and has worked at the unit ever since. During his time as an AFO for the CNC, he was deployed to West Midlands Police as part of Operation Temperer after the Manchester Arena Bombing.

PC Chris Kent joined the CNC in February 2001 and qualified as a general purpose dog handler in 2004. He later also became a dog handler for an explosive detecting police dog and as well as patrolling Harwell, provided assistance to our Strategic Escort Group when they were carrying out escorts of nuclear material.

Chris has also since qualified as a Counter Terrorism Search Officer (CTSO) and worked at the London Olympic in 2012, keeping the Olympic village and O2 Stadium safe. In 2015, after 11 and a half years as a dog handler, he returned to Harwell as an AFO, where he has worked since.

Chief Constable Simon Chesterman said: “I was delighted to be able to present Nick and Chris with their long service and good conduct medals at this week. They have both spent more than two decades protecting the Harwell site and the surrounding community and they should be proud of the personal contributions they have made to the safety and security of the UK.”

Published 14 September 2021



Government sets out pragmatic new timetable for introducing border controls

Press release

The government has set out a pragmatic new timetable for introducing full import controls for goods being imported from the EU to the UK.

  • Revised timetable will give businesses more time to adjust to new processes
  • Global pandemic has affected supply chains in the UK and across Europe
  • Controls will be phased in across 2022

The government has today set out a pragmatic new timetable for introducing full import controls for goods being imported from the EU to the UK.

Businesses have faced a range of challenges over recent months as they recover from the global pandemic which has impacted supply chains across Europe. This is being felt particularly by the agri-food sector, where new requirements on importing products of animal origin were due to be introduced from next month. Rather than introduce these controls at this time, the government has listened to those who have called for a new approach to give businesses more time to adjust.

Full customs declarations and controls will be introduced on 1 January 2022 as previously announced, although safety and security declarations will now not be required until 1 July 2022.

Under the revised timetable:

  • The requirements for pre-notification of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) goods, which were due to be introduced on 1 October 2021, will now be introduced on 1 January 2022.
  • The new requirements for Export Health Certificates, which were due to be introduced on 1 October 2021, will now be introduced on 1 July 2022.
  • Phytosanitary Certificates and physical checks on SPS goods at Border Control Posts, due to be introduced on 1 January 2022, will now be introduced on 1 July 2022.
  • Safety and Security declarations on imports will be required as of 1 July 2022 as opposed to 1 January 2022. Full customs declarations and controls will be introduced on 1 January 2022 as previously announced.

Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, Lord Frost, said:

We want businesses to focus on their recovery from the pandemic rather than have to deal with new requirements at the border, which is why we’ve set out a pragmatic new timetable for introducing full border controls.

Businesses will now have more time to prepare for these controls which will be phased in throughout 2022.

The government remains on track to deliver the new systems, infrastructure and resourcing required.

The government will work closely with the Devolved Administrations on the implementation of this new timetable, given their devolved responsibilities for agri-food controls.

We remain on track to deliver new systems, infrastructure and resourcing needed for these controls.

For further information see here.

Published 14 September 2021



Westminster event showcases NDA group apprentices.

Nuclear Skills & Apprenticeships Fair is a unique chance to engage with MPs and parliamentarians

Nuclear Skills & Apprenticeships Fair is a unique chance to engage with MPs and parliamentarians

Image credit: Sellafield Ltd

As part of the Nuclear Industry Association’s ‘Nuclear Week in Parliament’, the Nuclear Skills & Apprenticeships Fair is a unique chance to engage with MPs and parliamentarians and promote career opportunities in nuclear decommissioning.

NDA group Chief Executive, David Peattie, said:

Nuclear decommissioning is a dynamic and forward-looking industry, which provides an unrivalled range of career opportunities for people across the whole of the UK.

I’m extremely proud of our graduates and apprentices and I’m inspired by the passion they show when they talk about their work in the NDA group. I’m certain this enthusiasm will encourage the next generation to pursue a career in nuclear decommissioning.

The NDA is responsible for decommissioning and cleaning up 17 of the UK’s oldest nuclear sites, a programme of work that will last for well over a hundred years. Attracting the next generation of the nuclear workforce is an essential part of delivering this nationally important mission long into the future.

Warrington North MP, Charlotte Nichols, said:

I’m delighted to host the Nuclear Skills & Apprenticeships Fair and meet enthusiastic nuclear workers working in a whole range of roles, from train driver to media and communications. This highlights the opportunities in the nuclear industry.

In my constituency alone, there are at least two thousand highly-skilled workers supporting the nuclear decommissioning sector. This includes the NDA group who have a base in Warrington and are taking a lead in promoting careers for people in the industry. I’m really excited about the future of the industry.

Published 14 September 2021
Last updated 14 September 2021 + show all updates

  1. First published.



DSEI 2021: countries, territories and organisations invited by UK DSE to attend

News story

Countries, territories and organisations invited to attend DSEI 2021 by UK Defence and Security Exports (UK DSE).

Invitees include:

  • Angola
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Belgium
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Egypt
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iraq
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Kenya
  • Kuwait
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • NATO
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • USA
  • Vietnam

Published 14 September 2021