Introducing the Mayoral Data Council: making data work for devolution 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Data, Mayoral Data Council
A title card showing the map of England and the words 'Mayoral Data Council'

The new Mayoral Data Council (MDC) brings together senior data leaders from England’s Mayoral Strategic Authorities. As powers shift from Whitehall to local communities, the MDC ensures local government has a strong voice in national data initiatives, turning insight into impact for communities across England.

Diving into planning decisions: What we learned from our latest user research 

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Data, Digital Planning
Graphic to illustrate planning data

User research is underway on standardising planning decision notices. Local authorities currently use different formats to record planning application outcomes, but standardisation would make crucial data instantly available for effective planning, analysis and forecasting. The data standards community has been providing invaluable feedback on where standardisation can deliver the biggest positive impact for the sector.

PropTech innovation takes on housing delivery challenges  

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Digital Planning, PropTech
A group of people including Chief Planner Joanna Averley and representatives from the 12 selected pilots

Following rigorous judging, 12 project teams have been selected from 84 applications to tackle three fundamental problems holding back housing delivery in England. Working alongside local authority and developer partners, each innovator will work until March 2026 testing their solutions in the real world.

Designing a user-centred intranet to help our staff work more effectively 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Design, Ways of working
a laptop screen showing the new intranet homepage

An intranet is an essential digital platform that connects employees within an organisation, giving them easy access to internal news and resources. Sian, content designer, shares how user-centred design transformed our department's intranet, streamlining communication, knowledge sharing and accessibility to help our UK-wide staff work more productively and efficiently.

Digital planning transformation gains momentum  

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Digital Planning
A large group of people posing for a picture

Open Digital Planning (ODP) is becoming a powerful force for change in local government, allowing planning authorities to modernise planning services. With 24 authorities joining this month, through the Digital Planning Improvement Fund, the movement is gaining momentum. Read about how ODP brings councils and experts together to drive innovation in the planning sector.

How user research is shaping the future of EPCs

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Energy Performance of Buildings
a picture of a laptop screen with an energy performance certificate shown

Energy performance certificates (EPCs) help people understand how energy efficient their buildings are and what they can do to improve it. They’re used by landlords, renters and buyers, homeowners but also by policy teams. Find out how we’re applying user research and user-centred design principles to redesign the EPC, to better meet user needs.

Understanding Elections user journeys: lessons from in-person mobile testing 

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Elections
an image of someone holding a mobile phone showing the register to page on GOV.UK

User researchers in the Elections Digital team are working on initiatives to improve voter registration by making the process simple and accessible. Find out how the team has been improving its understanding of the mobile-first experience of many citizens interacting with digital election services and what they learned along the way.