docs: an updated entry for dates (#2129)

Author: helennickols

docs/style-guide-updates/2026-01-15-dates.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+title: dates
+type: Updated
+date: 2026-01-15
+---
+
+Added advice on abbreviating days of the week and clarified when you might need to abbreviate dates. 

docs/style-guide.md

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ First published: 18 December 2024
 </p>
 
 <p class="govuk-!-margin-bottom-0">
-Last updated: 7 January 2026
+Last updated: 15 January 2026
 </p>
 
 <p class="govuk-!-margin-bottom-6">
@@ -154,27 +154,24 @@ The initialism is likely to be familiar to NDelius users without needing to be s
 
 ### dates
 
-Follow the [style for writing dates in full on GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/style-guide/a-to-z#dates) where possible. For example, 14 January 2025. This makes the date clear and accessible.
+Follow the [GOV.UK style for writing dates in full](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/style-guide/a-to-z#dates) where possible. For example, 14 January 2025. This makes the date clear and accessible.
 
-There's evidence that truncating dates can cause accessibility issues. If you need to do so, for example when short of space, abbreviate months as follows: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec. This approach follows [Office for National Statistics (ONS) style on dates](https://service-manual.ons.gov.uk/content/content-types/datasets#dates-months-and-quarters).
+It can be helpful to include the day of the week in an appointment or deadline. When including the day, place it before the rest of the date, for example, Thursday 14 January 2025.
 
-You can also abbreviate dates using D/MM/YYYY, for example 30/9/2024, when they're repeated regularly in a long list or table. Do not use a leading zero - use 1/1/2025 instead of 01/01/2025.
+There’s evidence that truncating dates can cause accessibility issues. Avoid this unless you are short of space, for example in a case list or timetable. Abbreviate months as: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec. This follows [Office for National Statistics (ONS) style on dates](https://service-manual.ons.gov.uk/content/content-types/datasets#dates-months-and-quarters). Abbreviate days as Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun.
 
-Do not abbreviate the year.
-
-It can be helpful to include the day of the week in an appointment or deadline.
+You can also abbreviate dates using D/MM/YYYY, for example 30/9/2024, when they’re repeated regularly in a long list or table. Do not use a leading zero: use 1/1/2025 instead of 01/01/2025.
 
-When including the day of the week, do so before the rest of the date - for example, Thursday 14 January 2025.
-
-If users can choose a date range, use 'earliest' and 'latest' in your labels. For example:
+Do not abbreviate the year.
 
-'Date from (earliest)'
+If users can choose a date range, use ‘earliest’ and ‘latest’ in your labels. For example:  
 
-'Date to (latest)'
+- ‘Date from (earliest)’  
+- ‘Date to (latest)’
 
 This is being used on the DPS prisoner profile alerts and case notes pages in response to user feedback.
 
-In an example of how to enter or select a date in the [date input component in the GOV.UK Design System](https://design-system.service.gov.uk/components/date-input/) or the [date picker](https://design-patterns.service.justice.gov.uk/components/date-picker/), follow the style in the respective guidance. For example, 14 5 2024 for date input, 14/5/2024 for a date picker. It's helpful if your example date uses the 13th day of the month or later (14/5/2024 makes it clear that 14 could not be the month).
+In an example of how to enter or select a date in the [GOV.UK date input component](https://design-system.service.gov.uk/components/date-input/) or the [date picker](/components/date-picker/), follow the style in the respective guidance. For example, 14 5 2024 for a date input, 14/5/2024 for a date picker. It’s helpful if your example date uses the 13th day of the month or later (14/5/2024 makes it clear that 14 could not be the month).
 
 ### domestic abuse