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Guidance on how we create news stories and press releases




If you have content you would like to publish on GOV.UK, it will usually take the format of a news story or a press release.

It is also possible to publish content as a blog, but we need to be careful not to duplicate content on GOV.UK.

How to develop a news story


News stories should provide users with information they can act on, that they would expect to get directly from PHE.


When developing a news story, please include:

  • a clear title (up to 65 characters including spaces)
  • summary (up to 160 characters including spaces)
  • body copy of the article
  • required publication date - or the embargo time and date


News stories can be updated regularly with new information if required.



A news story should not include notes at the end, quotes longer than 3 sentences, or contact details.

How to develop a press release


A press release should be an online version of a press communication sent out to the media.


Press releases can include:

  • notes at the end, under the heading 'Background' (rather than 'Notes to editors')
  • contact details for the press office


Press releases are not updated once they have been uploaded to the system.



How to cover specific types of stories


Stories about multiple government departments

  • these stories should be published in one place and tagged with all relevant parties
  • it is important not to duplicate content on GOV.UK


Developing situations

  • developing situations should be covered with a 'rolling news story' format
  • this includes story such as outbreaks or weather alerts
  • news stories should be updated regularly


Guidance and advice

  • guidance content should be developed as 'permanent' guidance, that sits on the GOV.UK or NHS Choices homepage
  • you should not use the news story format for this type of content
  • news stories should be self-contained content, which means they can be deleted from the website without it affecting anything else


Learn more






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