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Kingfisher: Energy cost 'biggest household fear' in Europe Kingfisher: Energy cost 'biggest household fear' in Europe
(about 4 hours later)
Homeowners in Europe are more worried about energy bills than paying the rent or mortgage, a survey suggests.Homeowners in Europe are more worried about energy bills than paying the rent or mortgage, a survey suggests.
The finding comes as part of research by Europe's largest DIY retail group, Kingfisher.The finding comes as part of research by Europe's largest DIY retail group, Kingfisher.
Kingfisher, which operates as B&Q in the UK, surveyed 17,000 households in nine European countries.Kingfisher, which operates as B&Q in the UK, surveyed 17,000 households in nine European countries.
"There is a staggering increase in the number of people who intend to prioritise energy efficiency," said Kingfisher boss Sir Ian Cheshire."There is a staggering increase in the number of people who intend to prioritise energy efficiency," said Kingfisher boss Sir Ian Cheshire.
"It is soaring bills that is driving this agenda.""It is soaring bills that is driving this agenda."
The survey of attitudes to home improvement is a snapshot of how Europeans view their home. And it seems we're not that different from our continental neighbours.The survey of attitudes to home improvement is a snapshot of how Europeans view their home. And it seems we're not that different from our continental neighbours.
But the biggest priority in the home is improving energy efficiency. Almost a third (31%) said they intended to introduce measures to cut their energy bills.But the biggest priority in the home is improving energy efficiency. Almost a third (31%) said they intended to introduce measures to cut their energy bills.
That compares with just 4%, in their last survey in 2012.That compares with just 4%, in their last survey in 2012.
'Flexible space''Flexible space'
Spending on homes, it seems, is back on the agenda.Spending on homes, it seems, is back on the agenda.
"As lifestyles change and living costs rise, people want more and more from their home," said Sir Ian."As lifestyles change and living costs rise, people want more and more from their home," said Sir Ian.
"The modern home increasingly needs to be a flexible, adaptable space that is able to evolve as our lives change."The modern home increasingly needs to be a flexible, adaptable space that is able to evolve as our lives change.
"These days, our homes need to be an office, an entertainment hub and a multi-generational living space.""These days, our homes need to be an office, an entertainment hub and a multi-generational living space."
He also reckoned that people were now thinking a bit more confidently about the value of their homes, one of the drivers behind the desire to adapt.He also reckoned that people were now thinking a bit more confidently about the value of their homes, one of the drivers behind the desire to adapt.
According to the survey, the features most people want are:According to the survey, the features most people want are:
In the UK, people reportedly desire en-suite bathrooms more than in any other European country.In the UK, people reportedly desire en-suite bathrooms more than in any other European country.
We are more likely to buy DIY products online than any other nation and we are the second most likely country to have a garden shed.We are more likely to buy DIY products online than any other nation and we are the second most likely country to have a garden shed.
But we're still not as good at DIY as we might think. The UK comes joint fifth in the Kingfisher's DIY league table, with Germany and France at the top.But we're still not as good at DIY as we might think. The UK comes joint fifth in the Kingfisher's DIY league table, with Germany and France at the top.
That said, nearly a quarter of all those asked said they couldn't change a light bulb.That said, nearly a quarter of all those asked said they couldn't change a light bulb.
Do you fear your energy bills? Do they worry your more than housing costs? You can email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.