AUDIO NEWS: 65% of homeowners are planning green upgrades and FMB award winners announced

Nearly two thirds of homeowners are planning 'green' upgrades, housing industry lobbies government for £7 million to support planning apprentices and FMB award winners announced

Nearly two thirds of UK homeowners are planning ‘green’ home upgrades in the next decade — that’s according to research from NatWest.

Fitting of EV chargers, solar panels and triple glazing topped the list of possible upgrades.

26% of survey respondents said they expected to fit a heap pump within 10 years.

A quarter of those surveyed claimed they intended to start green improvements within the year.

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Thirty-three industry organisations are urging the government to invest nearly £7 million to boost ‘planning’ recruitment.

An open letter to the housing minister, Matthew Pennycook, claimed the funding was essential to sustain recruitment and training of apprentice planners.

Earlier this year, the Department of Education cut funding for Level 7 apprenticeships for older learners.

Dr Victoria Hills, chief executive, at the Royal Town Planning Institute said “that planning is at the heart of the country’s biggest challenges… without planners these ambitions cannot be delivered.”

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R&M Williams took home the top prize at the Master Builders Awards last week.

The firm was crowned the Overall Master Builder for its work in the commercial and public sector.

Speaking to Fix Radio after the ceremony, Mark Williams said the team would be “chuffed and inspired to turn out more projects to a fantastic standard”.

The FMB’s annual awards celebrate exceptional customer service and high-quality craftsmanship.

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