Our journey to delivering the Fire and Rescue Data Platform 

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A firefighter with a fire engine in the background

The recently launched Fire and Rescue Data Platform (FaRDaP) is one of the most critical digital services underpinning emergency response across England, Scotland and Wales. Learn how the FaRDaP team built and now run a nationwide service that helps record incident data more easily, keeps communities safer, and supports the future of the fire sector.

More local planning authorities commit to making their planning data open and join Open Digital Planning 

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Members of Open Digital Planning at tables during an event

Planning data locked in PDFs and legacy systems creates barriers for everyone. This February, 49 more local planning authorities are joining the Digital Planning Improvement Fund to publish essential planning data in open, standardised formats making it easier for residents, businesses and developers to find what they need.

Building a data model for planning decisions  

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Graphic to illustrate planning data

Every year, local planning authorities make hundreds of thousands of planning decisions. Right now, planning decisions are recorded in dozens of different formats. Find out about the work taking place to change that by creating a data standard for planning decisions.

Modernising democracy: Transforming the Electoral registration officer portal 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Elections, Technology
A person facing away from the camera sitting at a laptop with the screen showing the Electoral registration office portal website

The Electoral registration officer portal (EROP) is used by local authority officials responsible for maintaining accurate electoral registers, and to process millions of applications directly affecting people’s ability to vote. Learn how the Elections Digital team transformed this service, making it more efficient and better equipped to support future electoral reforms.

A year of transforming England’s planning system 

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The Open Digital Planning community gathering at an event in Medway, in 2025

Read about our year transforming England's planning system through new partnerships, innovations and momentum. Everything we do aims to give communities a planning system that is data-driven, efficient and accessible, supporting the government's mission to deliver 1.5 million homes this Parliament.

The future of the Funding Service: solving a whole problem for users 

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The 6 Funding Service principles listed: Design for the seams; Integrate, integrate, integrate; Go wide, not deep; Release new things fast; Be ready for policy changes; Prioritise on multiple user needs

MHCLG's Funding Service is transforming how grants are delivered, saving time and money for the department and the communities we serve. As 2025 draws to a close, learn about the team's progress and ambitious plans for the new year, including creating a more joined up and integrated service that solves a whole problem for users.

How collaboration and innovation came together to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping

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a group photo of the hackathon participants

The recent Local Government Innovation Hackathon in Birmingham united over 150 experts to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping challenges. Teams developed bold, AI-driven solutions, including the winning prototype matching people to accommodation. The event showcased the power of collaboration, innovation and responsible AI in tackling pressing social issues and shaping future government policy.

New draft guidance published to support faster and clearer local plan-making 

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Aerial view of green space with businesses and housing

Read about the details of a new plan-making system for England. It will ensure local plans, which are created by councils to shape development in their area, are simpler, faster to prepare, and more accessible for everyone. Learn about new user-tested digital guidance and tools published in draft to help plan-makers deliver local plans faster.

International Volunteer Day: making a difference in our communities

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A title card with the words 'International Volunteer Day' on it, and a photo showing the three contributors

In this post, to mark International Volunteer Day, 3 of our colleagues reflect on their volunteering experience: what motivates them, how their contributions support the people and places around them, and how it connects to their professional values.