UK Gov Comms (NON GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT)
@ukgovcomms.bsky.social
*Not* a government account.
A Bluesky account for sharing best practice of government communications in the UK. Run by @bowsy.co.uk.
A Bluesky account for sharing best practice of government communications in the UK. Run by @bowsy.co.uk.
Amazing!
A new post on working in the open for leaders, from our @jocarter.bsky.social.
If you're accountable for outcomes, risk, reputation and public money, but don’t always get a clear view of the work early enough to steer it, this is for you.
transform.wales/blog/2026/wo...
If you're accountable for outcomes, risk, reputation and public money, but don’t always get a clear view of the work early enough to steer it, this is for you.
transform.wales/blog/2026/wo...
Working in the open for leaders
Working in the open is a powerful governance tool that provides leaders with earlier visibility into work, allowing them to identify risks and steer outcomes before they become costly crises. If you f...
transform.wales
February 10, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Amazing!
I'm obviously a big fan of more and better gov comms. I love the idea of ministers using social media to speak directly to the public. What is this though? Did you get feedback from a broad-spectrum audience before publishing? Try harder.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=koX1...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=koX1...
Inside the China-UK deal: how it delivers for Britain | Peter Kyle explains
YouTube video by UK Government
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:51 PM
I'm obviously a big fan of more and better gov comms. I love the idea of ministers using social media to speak directly to the public. What is this though? Did you get feedback from a broad-spectrum audience before publishing? Try harder.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=koX1...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=koX1...
This bot does sterling work posting what DSIT says in Hansard because our government chooses not to make sure comms automatically available themselves.
A question on #ArtificialIntelligence tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty on 29-01-2026 has been answered by Kanishka Narayan. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-29/109652
February 9, 2026 at 6:33 PM
This bot does sterling work posting what DSIT says in Hansard because our government chooses not to make sure comms automatically available themselves.
Reposted by UK Gov Comms (NON GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT)
Weeknotes for 2 weeks as there has been a bit much happening all at once, this probably features a little too much thinking out loud and not enough condensed thoughts, still, it is what it is. @weeknotes-bot.bsky.social weeknot.es/weeknotes-s2...
Weeknotes S22 Ep4
A reminder of how easily your world can go off balance
weeknot.es
February 8, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Weeknotes for 2 weeks as there has been a bit much happening all at once, this probably features a little too much thinking out loud and not enough condensed thoughts, still, it is what it is. @weeknotes-bot.bsky.social weeknot.es/weeknotes-s2...
Genuinely surprised to discover Flickr still exists after the latest DSIT update email points people there.
www.flickr.com/photos/dsitg...
www.flickr.com/photos/dsitg...
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Explore Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s 2,200 photos on Flickr!
www.flickr.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Genuinely surprised to discover Flickr still exists after the latest DSIT update email points people there.
www.flickr.com/photos/dsitg...
www.flickr.com/photos/dsitg...
This is a remarkably good point. I wonder if the Communications Union has considered it.
I’m curious what government agencies are doing to support the staff they’ve tasked with running their accounts on X, who now risk seeing abusive materials and CSAM in the course of their work.
(I previously headed up social for Dep Int Trade, if I still was I would refuse to make my team do this)
(I previously headed up social for Dep Int Trade, if I still was I would refuse to make my team do this)
February 6, 2026 at 12:59 PM
This is a remarkably good point. I wonder if the Communications Union has considered it.
Reposted by UK Gov Comms (NON GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT)
so a month ago I was reading @markpackuk.bsky.social’s speech on Twitter in the lords and there were obviously fake stats the government used to justify Twitter’s UK reach and its continued importance to British audiences
Rob has now found the source of the data was… Twitter
Rob has now found the source of the data was… Twitter
UPDATE: I've had a response from the Cabinet Office!
"the statistics cited ‘19.2 million British citizens registered with X and 10.8 million families using the platform’ were provided by OmniGov, the government's media buying agency, who received this data directly from X itself."
"the statistics cited ‘19.2 million British citizens registered with X and 10.8 million families using the platform’ were provided by OmniGov, the government's media buying agency, who received this data directly from X itself."
February 6, 2026 at 9:50 AM
so a month ago I was reading @markpackuk.bsky.social’s speech on Twitter in the lords and there were obviously fake stats the government used to justify Twitter’s UK reach and its continued importance to British audiences
Rob has now found the source of the data was… Twitter
Rob has now found the source of the data was… Twitter
Well, absolutely. It would be excellent, for example, if the committee were to commit up front to a regular monthly blog, public show and tell videos and / or publishing the minutes of their meetings.
Meanwhile, congrats to the folks involved. Let us know when you know what the NDL is 😀.
Meanwhile, congrats to the folks involved. Let us know when you know what the NDL is 😀.
February 6, 2026 at 1:44 AM
Well, absolutely. It would be excellent, for example, if the committee were to commit up front to a regular monthly blog, public show and tell videos and / or publishing the minutes of their meetings.
Meanwhile, congrats to the folks involved. Let us know when you know what the NDL is 😀.
Meanwhile, congrats to the folks involved. Let us know when you know what the NDL is 😀.
Once again happened across this today. Absolutely rage inducing that DSIT (e.g. GDS) have their logo on this which is not only worlds-away from correct government branding but also must be an absolutely nightmare for accessibility.
delivery.ai.gov.uk?mc_cid=9927f...
delivery.ai.gov.uk?mc_cid=9927f...
AI Opportunities Action Plan - 2026 Progress
Progress on ramping up AI adoption across the UK to boost economic growth, provide jobs for the future and improve people's everyday lives
delivery.ai.gov.uk
February 5, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Once again happened across this today. Absolutely rage inducing that DSIT (e.g. GDS) have their logo on this which is not only worlds-away from correct government branding but also must be an absolutely nightmare for accessibility.
delivery.ai.gov.uk?mc_cid=9927f...
delivery.ai.gov.uk?mc_cid=9927f...
This is an excellent post - particularly the part about international cooperation. More of both this kind of work and this kind of public reporting on it please!
publicpolicydesign.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/05/p...
publicpolicydesign.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/05/p...
Pattern principles in the welfare sector
Finnish designer, Janne Mattila, explains what makes something a public design pattern.
publicpolicydesign.blog.gov.uk
February 5, 2026 at 3:36 PM
This is an excellent post - particularly the part about international cooperation. More of both this kind of work and this kind of public reporting on it please!
publicpolicydesign.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/05/p...
publicpolicydesign.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/05/p...
On the one hand, huge props to MHCLG for openness about the iterative development of this. This is the kind of really great team level comms we want to see.
mhclgdigital.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/04/f...
mhclgdigital.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/04/f...
Funding Service: How we built a new funding platform for MHCLG
Over the past year, the Funding Service has been building a new funding platform for the department based on an entirely new single codebase. This post outlines the technical choices and approach that...
mhclgdigital.blog.gov.uk
February 4, 2026 at 7:39 PM
On the one hand, huge props to MHCLG for openness about the iterative development of this. This is the kind of really great team level comms we want to see.
mhclgdigital.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/04/f...
mhclgdigital.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/04/f...
Absolutely rage inducing. Not that DSIT doesn't have the data (although that does seem to be something that DCMS should know) but that people can claim this kind of thing in Parliament with no citations.
Remember last month when Labour whip Baroness Anderson claimed in the Lords that 10.8 million [UK] families use X as their main news source? hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2026-0...
DSIT doesn't know how that figure was arrived at www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/usag...
#FOI #govcomms #techpolicy
DSIT doesn't know how that figure was arrived at www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/usag...
#FOI #govcomms #techpolicy
February 4, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Absolutely rage inducing. Not that DSIT doesn't have the data (although that does seem to be something that DCMS should know) but that people can claim this kind of thing in Parliament with no citations.
Excellent! Looking forward to the blog post after!
One week left to join this hack day!
Be there or be square.
🎟️: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/connecting...
#hack #DesignSystem #government
Be there or be square.
🎟️: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/connecting...
#hack #DesignSystem #government
February 3, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Excellent! Looking forward to the blog post after!
Yes!! Much more of this sort of thing!
Reading this made my day, from a lead designer in the NHS. mikegallagher.org/posts/in-pub...
Mike Gallagher: In public
Notes on working in the open
mikegallagher.org
February 1, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Yes!! Much more of this sort of thing!
Today's spamming continues I'm afraid 😅. This also looks excellent. - Please - publish in the open a summary of what was discussed.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/architectu...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/architectu...
Architecture Community: Gregor Hohpe Talk and Q&A
GDS is excited to welcome Gregor Hohpe at their first Architecture community event of 2026
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Today's spamming continues I'm afraid 😅. This also looks excellent. - Please - publish in the open a summary of what was discussed.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/architectu...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/architectu...
It'd be good to know if there's user research to back up that users actually want this vs. it just being a shiny thing the minister wants.
insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2025/12/16/g...
insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2025/12/16/g...
GOV.UK has entered the Chat: our vision for GOV.UK Chat
Learn about our plans for GOV.UK Chat, the AI-powered chat system we’ve built as an easier, quicker way to interact with government.
insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk
January 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM
It'd be good to know if there's user research to back up that users actually want this vs. it just being a shiny thing the minister wants.
insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2025/12/16/g...
insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2025/12/16/g...
Missed when this came out - good blog.
It's particularly interesting as I have a feeling this is something @tomski.com mentioned back in his and @richardpope.org mentioned as a possibility back at Code for America in 2015.
enablingdigitalidentity.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/07/p...
It's particularly interesting as I have a feeling this is something @tomski.com mentioned back in his and @richardpope.org mentioned as a possibility back at Code for America in 2015.
enablingdigitalidentity.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/07/p...
Progress towards enabling the use of digital verification services for alcohol sales in England and Wales
In December 2024, the then Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) announced that changes would be made to the Mandatory Licence Conditions (MLCs) under the Licensing Act 2003...
enablingdigitalidentity.blog.gov.uk
January 30, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Missed when this came out - good blog.
It's particularly interesting as I have a feeling this is something @tomski.com mentioned back in his and @richardpope.org mentioned as a possibility back at Code for America in 2015.
enablingdigitalidentity.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/07/p...
It's particularly interesting as I have a feeling this is something @tomski.com mentioned back in his and @richardpope.org mentioned as a possibility back at Code for America in 2015.
enablingdigitalidentity.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/07/p...
Also just to quickly highlight @dsit-answers.bsky.social - a (presumably bot?) account that does the work posting things here that DSIT should be doing themselves anyway.
January 30, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Also just to quickly highlight @dsit-answers.bsky.social - a (presumably bot?) account that does the work posting things here that DSIT should be doing themselves anyway.
I was reminded by the lastest GDS Bulletin (which is very good) about this. Also great stuff but it's one thing to talk about transparency and another to let your individual teams blog or make their show and tells public.
gds.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/20/o...
gds.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/20/o...
Our roadmap for modern digital government
This week, we published our roadmap for modern digital government, setting out how teams across government are transforming public services through joined‑up platforms, AI adoption, stronger digital i...
gds.blog.gov.uk
January 30, 2026 at 4:37 PM
I was reminded by the lastest GDS Bulletin (which is very good) about this. Also great stuff but it's one thing to talk about transparency and another to let your individual teams blog or make their show and tells public.
gds.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/20/o...
gds.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/20/o...
This is exactly the good stuff we're talking about. Now imagine a commitment to doing this every month. How are can that be? 😀
insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/28/h...
insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/28/h...
How people used GOV.UK in 2025
User insights help us to understand how we can develop GOV.UK to ensure it continues to meet people’s needs and work well for everyone. Learn about some of 2025’s main findings across the GOV.UK websi...
insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk
January 30, 2026 at 1:50 PM
This is exactly the good stuff we're talking about. Now imagine a commitment to doing this every month. How are can that be? 😀
insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/28/h...
insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/28/h...
Reposted by UK Gov Comms (NON GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT)
Standards won’t do anything unless integrated into a larger system that includes carrots & sticks.
Today, we shaped our 2026 activities for the German #ServiceStandard. My product management colleague Robert asked for a short input on what worked in the UK.
I made that slide.
All remains relevant
Today, we shaped our 2026 activities for the German #ServiceStandard. My product management colleague Robert asked for a short input on what worked in the UK.
I made that slide.
All remains relevant
January 29, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Standards won’t do anything unless integrated into a larger system that includes carrots & sticks.
Today, we shaped our 2026 activities for the German #ServiceStandard. My product management colleague Robert asked for a short input on what worked in the UK.
I made that slide.
All remains relevant
Today, we shaped our 2026 activities for the German #ServiceStandard. My product management colleague Robert asked for a short input on what worked in the UK.
I made that slide.
All remains relevant
Reposted by UK Gov Comms (NON GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT)
I love improving the Service Manual + Standard.
But I'm even more interested in fixing the management of the mountain of GDS+govt content about making great public digital services.
Strategic, joined-up, no duplication or contradictions. Users not having to stitch it together themselves.
But I'm even more interested in fixing the management of the mountain of GDS+govt content about making great public digital services.
Strategic, joined-up, no duplication or contradictions. Users not having to stitch it together themselves.
January 29, 2026 at 5:56 PM
I love improving the Service Manual + Standard.
But I'm even more interested in fixing the management of the mountain of GDS+govt content about making great public digital services.
Strategic, joined-up, no duplication or contradictions. Users not having to stitch it together themselves.
But I'm even more interested in fixing the management of the mountain of GDS+govt content about making great public digital services.
Strategic, joined-up, no duplication or contradictions. Users not having to stitch it together themselves.
Reposted by UK Gov Comms (NON GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT)
🔔 Did you know you can get emailed whenever the GOV.UK Service Standard or Service Manual are updated?
Just click on 'Get emails when any guidance within this topic is updated' within the sections you're interested in at www.gov.uk/service-manual, including the Service Standard itself. 📬
Just click on 'Get emails when any guidance within this topic is updated' within the sections you're interested in at www.gov.uk/service-manual, including the Service Standard itself. 📬
January 29, 2026 at 5:48 PM
🔔 Did you know you can get emailed whenever the GOV.UK Service Standard or Service Manual are updated?
Just click on 'Get emails when any guidance within this topic is updated' within the sections you're interested in at www.gov.uk/service-manual, including the Service Standard itself. 📬
Just click on 'Get emails when any guidance within this topic is updated' within the sections you're interested in at www.gov.uk/service-manual, including the Service Standard itself. 📬
Reposted by UK Gov Comms (NON GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT)
How often do you engage in cross-silo exchange?
How often do you talk to colleagues and other teams doing similar work as you do, but in different organisations and contexts?
Today, our #ServiceStandard team spoke with @benaldo.bsky.social , and it was worth every one of the 60 minutes we had.
How often do you talk to colleagues and other teams doing similar work as you do, but in different organisations and contexts?
Today, our #ServiceStandard team spoke with @benaldo.bsky.social , and it was worth every one of the 60 minutes we had.
January 27, 2026 at 9:43 PM
How often do you engage in cross-silo exchange?
How often do you talk to colleagues and other teams doing similar work as you do, but in different organisations and contexts?
Today, our #ServiceStandard team spoke with @benaldo.bsky.social , and it was worth every one of the 60 minutes we had.
How often do you talk to colleagues and other teams doing similar work as you do, but in different organisations and contexts?
Today, our #ServiceStandard team spoke with @benaldo.bsky.social , and it was worth every one of the 60 minutes we had.