Access to Government Gateway is changing for users of older technology

placeholder

Changes from 1 April 2020

To keep your data secure and to update our technology, Government Gateway will soon be upgraded.
Some older computer operating systems and internet browsers will not work with the new security measures in the upgrade.

From 1 April 2020, you will no longer be able to access your Government Gateway account on Windows XP and Windows Vista or Internet Explorer 6 and 7. Other older operating systems and browsers may also be affected.

You can still sign in to services through Government Gateway using more modern operating systems and browsers.

Services affected:

  • Defra SignOn & SignOn Admin
  • CARA IAM
  • AMLS2
  • eDomero
  • ESP Seedcert
  • eHMI/PEACH
  • WIISOL
  • GLA LAWS
  • Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI)
  • SPIRE (access to both Portal and WMS elements)
  • CTS Online
  • Sheep and Goat ETAS
  • Merman NMMD
  • SAM/iSAM
  • ALVS
  • SPIRIT WAG

What you should do

To continue to access the Government Gateway service you will need to check your computers Operating System and Internet Explorer version.

You can check your computer by following the guidance below:

Check your Internet Explorer version

  • open Internet Explorer
  • press Alt+H and select ‘About Internet Explorer’ from the menu. This will display a box showing which version you are using

Check your Operating System version

  • click the ‘Start’ button in the bottom left hand corner
  • in the ‘Run/Search’ box type ‘Winver’ and press ‘Enter’. This will display a box showing which version you are using.
Compatibility

Your computer needs to be compatible with TLS 1.2 security for it to work with the new Government gateway service.

See below for details of compatibility of Internet Explorer and Windows Operating System versions with TLS 1.2:

  • if you use Internet Explorer version 11 your computer is compatible with the new Government Gateway service
  • if you use Internet Explorer versions 8, 9 or 10 you may need to check your configuration – see below for instructions to test for TLS 1.2 compatibility
  • if you use Internet Explorer version 7 or lower your computer is not compatible with the new Government Gateway service and you will need to upgrade to continue using it
  • if you use Windows XP or Windows Vista your computer is not compatible with the new Government Gateway service and you will need to upgrade to continue using it

Compatibility in Internet Explorer versions 8, 9 and 10

These versions of Internet Explorer do support TLS 1.2 but it may not be enabled by default. To check if it is enabled:

  • open Internet Explorer
  • from the menu bar, click Tools > Internet Options > Advanced tab
  • scroll down to ‘Security’ category, ensure the tick boxes ‘Use TLS 1.1’ and ‘Use TLS 1.2’ are ticked
  • click OK
  • close your browser and restart Internet Explorer

You can check if your browser is TLS 1.2 compatible using this website browserleaks.com

If TLS 1.2 is supported it will display a green tick next to TLS 1.2. If TLS 1.2 is not ticked then follow the instructions above to enable it in Internet Explorer.

You should run these checks as soon as possible so that you know whether your computer will be compatible with the new Government gateway service.

Published 12 February 2020
Last updated 27 February 2020 + show all updates

  1. Added a Welsh translation and tagged the news story to Natural England, Animal and Plant Health Agency and Rural Payments Agency.

  2. First published.



Cornwall drug dealer has his sentence increased

A man who imported MDMA from The Netherlands and was also in possession of further Class A drugs with intent to supply has had his sentence increased following an intervention by the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP.

Daniel Peck, aged 21, was involved in importing and dealing MDMA. On 12 October 2018, United Kingdom Border Agency intercepted a package which had arrived from The Netherlands containing 201 MDMA tablets. The package was destined for Peck.

Peck’s home address in Penzance was subsequently searched by police officers and he was found to be in possession of MDMA, 2C-B and ketamine. An investigation of his finances showed that between September 2017 and October 2018, Peck had a total of £39,439.26 credited to his account, made up of 101 individual transfers.

When Peck’s mobile phone was examined, it was found to hold text messages which showed he had a large customer base and that he had dealt drugs at local festivals, clubs and pubs.

On 8 November 2019, Peck was sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment suspended for 2 years at Truro Crown Court, with a requirement to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

Following a referral to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General, on 12 February the sentence was found to be unduly lenient and has been increased to a sentence of 2 years and 9 months’ immediate imprisonment.

After the hearing the Solicitor General said:

“Peck had a large criminal operation and supplied drugs to a significant number of people. Criminal activity of this scale should not go unpunished, and it is therefore right that his sentence is increased.”



Azerbaijan parliamentary elections 2020: Foreign Office statement

placeholder

An FCO spokesperson said:

The United Kingdom is disappointed that Azerbaijan’s parliamentary elections did not meet international democratic standards, according to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

We are concerned by the reports from the OSCE that the election environment was overly restrictive and did not provide for any meaningful competition, and that procedural violations observed during the vote counting on election day cast doubts on the final results. We note, however, the efforts of the independent Central Electoral Commission to act in a transparent manner throughout the election.

In the post-election period the UK calls on Azerbaijan to respect the right to freedom of assembly and peaceful protest. The UK and Azerbaijan have a strong partnership and we stand ready to support the Azerbaijan authorities on electoral reforms and improvements to the democratic process.

Further information

Published 12 February 2020



Capacity Market auction parameters: open letter from BEIS to National Grid, February 2020

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Adjustments to the Capacity Market auction parameters for delivery year 2023 to 2024.



Homes England appoints new Executive Director of Markets, Partners and Places

  • As Executive Director, Harry will be responsible for leading Homes England’s newly formed Markets Partners and Places (MPP) function.
  • MPP will drive Homes England’s delivery pipeline. By combining our analytical functions with delivery specialists and local expertise MPP will develop tailored strategies for individual market areas.

Harry Swales will take on his new role after nearly five years at Homes England, most recently as Director of Products, Equity and Partnerships. Prior to Homes England he has held a number of senior management positions in the private sector across real estate investment, corporate banking and development consultancy.

Confirming Harry as Executive Director of MPP in post is a significant step forward as Homes England continues to build an organisation with the capability and capacity to achieve its mission and objectives.

Harry’s team has led on several high-profile investments while at Homes England including Homes England’s JV with Sekisui House and Urban Splash and the Housing Growth Partnership with Lloyds Banking Group.

His ability to identify and deliver innovative solutions to disrupt the status quo make him an ideal candidate to lead Homes England’s new Directorate.

MPP brings together Homes England’s strategy, economics and engagement functions together with delivery specialists and local expertise.

As Executive Director, Harry will be responsible for leading MPP to drive the market changing activity needed to deliver our mission by providing new analysis and insight to support the agency’s decision making, and by working closely with local partners to identify and develop tailored strategies for individual housing market areas.

Homes England Chief Executive Nick Walkley said:

“Appointing Harry to lead MPP and join Homes England’s executive team is a great step forward for us as an organisation.”

“Our new MPP Directorate is vital to our work with local partners and how we drive new business development opportunities. I’m delighted to have been able to appoint such a qualified candidate.”

Harry Swales commented:

“I’m delighted to take on this role with responsibility for building a new part of the Homes England business. Our work with local partners is crucial to us achieving our mission and creating the capacity for a more resilient housing sector in this country.

“By combining strategic insight with our significant funding and development capability we will be able to develop greater understanding of the specific needs of different housing markets and work with our partners to focus resources and expertise to meet local housing ambitions across the country.”

ENDS

For more information contact Matt O’Connell, Senior Communications Manager at Homes England 020 7393 2246 or email matt.oconnell@homesengland.gov.uk