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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Kingfisher: Energy cost 'biggest household fear' in Europe | Kingfisher: Energy cost 'biggest household fear' in Europe |
| (about 7 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. |