Month: August 2025

Paragon partners with HDM Energies to unlock £100m of funding to accelerate solar rollout and drive savings for SMEs

Stuart Mitchell

Paragon Bank has partnered with HDM Energies to provide up to £100 million in funding to accelerate the nation’s ambitious drive towards net zero through rooftop solar and help reduce energy costs for SMEs. Backed by Paragon Bank, HDM Energies has launched a simple and flexible Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) tailored specifically for SMEs, many of whom are underserved by traditional energy providers. The scheme enables businesses, even those with modest roof space, to access rooftop solar with no upfront costs and benefit from significantly reduced, fixed-rate energy prices over…

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CIPR welcomes Government’s new Ethics and Integrity Commission and calls for overhaul of Westminster’s lobbying regime

Stuart Mitchell

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a new Ethics and Integrity Commission (EIC), which aims to drive up standards in public life and delivers on a key manifesto commitment. The Commission, which will be established by strengthening and reforming the Committee on Standards in Public Life, addresses longstanding concerns about the UK’s fragmented approach to regulating ethical standards in Government. The EIC will be responsible for coordinating ethical bodies, formalising cooperation, and the sharing of best practice across Government. While the Commission represents an important…

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United Utilities scores peatland goal with area bigger than 4,000 football pitches restored

Stuart Mitchell

United Utilities is bringing bogs back to life on its land and in the last five years has already improved over 3,000 hectares – or 4,200 football pitches – of peatland across the North West. Healthy peatlands, often also known as blanket bog, provide numerous benefits including carbon capture from the atmosphere and natural drainage. They also boost biodiversity by providing a habitat for numerous animal and plant species.                              Having already achieved its target of restoring…

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PRCA Global Confidence Tracker Q2 2025 reveals sharp drop in agency confidence amid shifting strategies

Stuart Mitchell

The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) has published the findings of its Q2 2025 Global Confidence Tracker*, conducted by Question & Retain. The results highlight a marked decline in agency confidence worldwide as macroeconomic pressures and strategic reassessments continue to reshape the sector. The data reveals a significant change in sentiment across the global PR industry. The proportion of respondents describing themselves as “very confident” has halved from 22% in Q1 to just 11% in Q2. Meanwhile, those reporting low confidence (“not very confident” or “not confident at all”)…

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Nuffield Foundation announces £150 million funding commitment to tackle UK’s biggest social challenges

Stuart Mitchell

The Nuffield Foundation launches a major new Strategic Review, backed by a £150 million spending commitment, to fund research and innovation that addresses some of the UK’s most urgent social and economic challenges. The Foundation will commit £30 million annually over the next five years to generate rigorous evidence on, and shape solutions to, intersecting problems impacting UK society which are holding back the country’s future prosperity and wellbeing. The Foundation’s new strategic focus is a response to current global and domestic pressures reshaping UK policy and politics. Evolving areas…

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