AUDIO NEWS: The UK could miss its heat pump target by a decade and builder hangs over 230,000 Christmas lights

UK could miss its heat pump target by a decade, homeowners choose to improve, rather than move and builder puts up 230,000 Christmas lights for military veterans' charity

The UK could miss its heat pump installation target by a decade, industry leaders have warned.

The group of manufacturers, merchants and trade groups, suggested several measures to improve uptake, including training loans, credit guarantees and independent guidance.

Mike Foster, chief executive of the Energy & Utilities Alliance (EUA) said the industry was ready to move faster, but that policy frameworks weren’t keeping up.

Despite a record year for heat pumps in 2025, less than 100,000 units were purchased, and just 60,000 MCS certified installations completed.

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In good news for tradespeople, UK homeowners are continuing to improve their properties, rather than move, claims research from Legal & General.

In the survey of 2,000 homeowners nearly half said they ‘simply preferred’ to improve, rather than move, while three in ten respondents cited financial reasons for staying put.

Of those that completed home renovation work in the last year, 56% claimed that a kitchen refit was most likely project to boost a property’s value.

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A builder has covered his house in over 230,000 Christmas lights to raise money for disabled military veterans.

37-year-old Roger Lles and his father-in-law worked through the cold and rain to install the huge display that includes giant reindeer, huge snowflakes and Santa.

The mammoth display will stay in place until 5^th of January and raise funds for the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.

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