WARM HOMES – The Industry Responds

Jess Ralston, Energy Analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said:

“This plan should enable many more people able to live in ‘net zero’ homes with solar panels, insulation, batteries and heat pumps lowering bills and cutting households vulnerability to the kind of volatile gas prices that have left many homes struggling with the cost of living. At this tense time globally, it’s also an investment in the UK’s energy security with every heat pump we install reducing our reliance on gas, which will increasingly come from abroad as North Sea output continues years of decline. 

“Some decisions have been a long time coming, such as minimum standards for private renters and the introduction of the Future Homes Standard for new builds. That timelines are being pushed back is likely to be frustrating for those who are still colder and poorer in shoddy rental homes, but the public overwhelmingly back better standards for new builds so should be encouraged to see new requirements on the house builders at long last.”

Warm Homes Plan is welcome, but limited, says FMB

The long‑overdue launch of the Government’s new Warm Homes Plan, backed by £15 billion to upgrade up to five million homes by 2030, is a vital step toward cutting energy bills and improving the UK’s ageing housing stock. Certainty on funding, a clear timetable, and stable regulation is essential to ensure builders can get on with delivering upgrades to Britain’s homes, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB)

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, commented: “The launch of the Government’s long awaited Warm Homes Plan is a critical step forward. A £15 billion programme to cut bills and upgrade homes, with the ambition to improve up to five million properties with energy efficient upgrades by 2030, is something which the FMB welcomes, but we must keep sight on the remaining 25 million UK homes that will still need upgrading at some point to make them fit for the future. While this intervention from Government is needed, there must be incentives to get the industry moving, to make sure they are competent and skilled up to upgrade the majoprity of the UK’s homes.”

Berry continued: “Focussing on the now, the task will be delivery. The new Warm Homes Agency must get up and running quickly to coordinate programmes and consumer protections, with procurement routes that give SMEs a fair chance to win work. The creation of a new Workforce Taskforce is also an important step. If the plan is to succeed, the Government must give industry a genuinely stable pipeline: multi‑year funding, a clear timetable, and certainty over future standards and regulations. Consistency will be essential if small builders are to invest in skills.”

Hamid Salimi – Head of Residential Products Daikin UK:

“The Warm Homes Plan will accelerate progress towards net zero. It will make it cheaper to install and run low carbon heating, making heat pumps even more attractive, particularly when they are paired with solar PV and battery technologies. The ability to apply for a low or zero interest loan on-top of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant is particularly welcome, as it will encourage more householders to invest in this technology. As hotter climate conditions become an increasing issue in the UK, we welcome BUS funding being extended to air-to-air heat pumps that can cool as well as heat homes.

“We also welcome the plan’s fully funded upgrades for low‑income households, helping ensure the shift to cleaner heating is fair and accessible for all.

“We would, however, urge the government to take early and decisive steps to reduce the price of electricity. This remains a barrier to the electrification of domestic, commercial and industrial heating.”

 

Becky Lane, CEO of retrofit company Furbnow on the Warm Homes Plan.  

“It’s great to see the government taking the need for warm homes seriously, but unfortunately the Warm Homes Plan falls short.

Solar panels and batteries will cut electricity bills and heat pumps will help you create a low-carbon home, but if your home is already struggling to keep heat in, then this loan does not help improve your home insulation and keep you warm.

We constantly speak to homeowners who are renovating or looking to fix their cold home, worried about making the jump to a heat pump or solar panels when their home can’t keep heat any in.

Insulation is the missing piece, and with the Warm Homes Plan this is still too expensive.

With loans focusing on technologies instead of the fabric, the Warm Homes Plan risks leaving behind millions of households who are not eligible for local grants.

UK’s homes are old, leaky and inefficient, and until we fix that, people will continue to live in cold homes and pay more than they should.”

Scott Sanford, Head of Technical Services & Certification at SNIPEF, said:

“We welcome and support any initiative that helps families cut energy bills, reduce fuel poverty and accelerate the transition to a low carbon future.

“Improving insulation, expanding access to solar and heat pump technologies, and targeted support for low-income households are vital steps in delivering warmer homes, tackling long-term energy costs and contributing to net zero objectives.

“However, the plan lacks explicit and substantial detail about investment in the training and skills development required to deliver quality home upgrades at scale. SNIPEF is clear that without a properly trained and competent workforce, large-scale retrofit and low carbon heating deployment will falter.

“We have already seen the consequences of this approach. Previous government-supported insulation schemes allowed complex work to be carried out by inadequately trained and poorly supervised installers. In practice, this meant almost anyone could undertake publicly funded retrofit work, leading to serious failures, as seen in the recent spray foam insulation scandal, which has damaged homes, blighted homeowners and is now costing millions to resolve.

“If this programme is to succeed, investment in homes must go hand in hand with investment in people, skills and competence. Quality, safety and consumer confidence must be built in from the start, not dealt with after the damage is done.”

Mohamed Gaafar, CEO & Co-Founder of Gryd:

“The Warm Homes Plan is a hugely positive step towards future-proofing British homes and giving households real control over their energy bills. The upfront cost of solar has been a major barrier for millions of Brits, and has prevented faster adoption despite overwhelming public support for the technology.

“Interest-free loans from the government could dramatically unlock access for homeowners, but the key question is stewardship. Solar and batteries deliver the most value over decades, not short ownership periods.

“If the loans are tied to individual homeowners, people risk being forced to repay early when they move – undermining the long-term benefits that make the investment worthwhile.

“This is where the government’s consideration of solar leasing, as part of the £2.7bn earmarked for ‘innovative finance’ could be key. Leasing removes the cost of the solar hardware for households, delivering bill savings from day one and allowing continuity for the systems to transfer seamlessly between owners.

“At Gryd, we’re already rolling out leased solar and battery systems to new-build developments across the UK. Treated properly, we know this model can be a powerful tool for cutting bills and establishing lasting home energy independence at scale.”

Comment attributed to Jeff House, director of external affairs & policy at Baxi.

“The long-awaited Warm Homes Plan has finally been published today putting an end to months of speculation.

“At face value, the confirmation of £15bn allocated budget to support the delivery of the plan is welcome, with a mix of finance offerings, incentive through the extended Boiler Upgrade Scheme and targeted support for fuel poor households.

“Dig deeper into the detail, however, and there are some aspects which are disappointing.

Firstly, there is no mention of the role that hybrid heat pump systems can play in the heat transition. There is an ever-growing body of evidence to support the roll out of this technology in the UK and effective policy examples in EU member states to learn from.

“Secondly, there is insufficient detail or action on reducing electricity pricing, beyond what has been previously announced. A critical factor to mass market uptake of heat pumps and electrification will be the spark gap; more work is needed here if we are to achieve the stated ambition of 450,000 annual heat pump installations by 2030.

“Finally, whilst not expected as part of the Warm Homes Plan, we would urge government to look at long term certainty and funding for the non-domestic sector. With the end of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) in 2028 and little else in the way of funding for decarbonisation of heat in this sector, there is a gap to be addressed.”

Daniel Redfern, Head of Marketing Communications at Marley

 “The announcement of the Warm Homes Plan is, of course, to be welcomed, and the £15bn allocation to support energy performance improvements to UK housing stock will play an important role in helping the UK progress towards its Net Zero ambitions.

“Designed to support the overhaul of up to 5 million homes through the specification of renewable technologies, including solar panels on roofscapes, the plan will further accelerate efforts to improve home energy efficiency and help lower energy bills, especially in the social housing sector.

“The investment presents a tangible opportunity for local government and the housebuilding sector to opt for proven renewable energy solutions that can help deliver energy efficient and low carbon homes for tenants, as well as new and existing homeowners.

“The roofing sector will be central to the successful delivery of the Warm Homes Plan, with solar panels acknowledged to be a primary technology solution. However, it’s now important that there is an increased focus on upskilling the existing workforce as well as attracting new talent into the industry to ensure we have the workforce in place to implement the plan at scale, both on retrofit projects and new builds.

“We expect the Government’s financial commitment through the Warm Homes Plan will further incentivise the uptake of proven technologies that can help transform the energy efficiency performance of UK homes for the long term. As such, product supply will be central to the plan’s successful implementation, and it’s important that those specifying solar panels are choosing high quality solutions to ensure long-term performance. Marley has led the way by providing a fully roof integrated solar panel solution – Marley SolarTile® – designed specifically for pitched roofs, and available as part of a wider single source renewable technology package that includes connected battery storage and inverters.

“As more details around the plan are announced in due course, we look forward to working with those across the construction industry to play our part in ensuring its successful delivery.”

 

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Bamboo drives the international low-carbon construction sector

Imagery Dr David Trujillo/University of Warwick
New structural engineering manual for bamboo is a significant milestone in realising the benefits of bamboo to widen its adoption.
 
Comprehensive guidance about the design of permanent bamboo structures has been published by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).
The detailed design manual draws on the expertise of four international authors from academia and industry. They are all members of the INBAR Bamboo Construction Task Force (BCTF), one of the leading international bodies on the structural uses of bamboo:
  • Dr David Trujillo CEng, Assistant Professor in Humanitarian Engineering, School of Engineering at the University of Warwick;
  • Kent Harries PEng, Professor of Structural Engineering and Mechanics, University of Pittsburgh;
  • Sebastian Kaminski CEng, an IStructE Fellow and a structural engineer from consulting firm Arup;
  • and Engr. Luis Felipe Lopez CEng, General Manager of the Base Bahay Foundation Inc. (BASE), which is a guide sponsor with the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR).
Manual for the design of bamboo structures to ISO 22156:2021 aims to help structural engineers and other architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals understand how this prolific bio-based material can be used safely, with the ISO standard and the manual limited to two-storeys because of fire concerns.
Lead author Dr David Trujillo, University of Warwick says:
“This manual marks a significant milestone for the safe use of bamboo for permanent structures. Most structural design codes are developed in higher-income countries to address their own needs. Only later are they adopted or adapted by lower and middle-income countries – but the starting point is never the needs of those regions.
Professor Kent Harries, University of Pittsburgh adds:
“There are some 1,600 known species of bamboo. Structurally, it has remarkable mechanical properties. It has also become a very promising bio-based resource, with growing credentials as a sustainable construction material. Nonetheless, this is hugely dependent on designing and building safe and durable structures. Our detailed manual helps to achieve this.”
Sebastian Kaminski, Arup explains:
“Bamboo has great potential to contribute to a low-carbon construction sector. Bamboo engineering is a very young field compared to mainstream materials and its unique possibilities are increasingly recognised and supported by growing research and innovation. Our manual is structured to support the design engineer along the journey, from sourcing bamboo to detailed design.”
Luis Felipe Lopez, Base Bahay highlights:
“The construction industry contributes nearly 40% of carbon emissions globally, and bamboo, a regenerative and durable material, is redefining how we build our structures. From being an alternative to a reliable building material, bamboo is now gaining global recognition, and the need for a comprehensive framework is essential to support design engineers and ensure the safe and proper use of bamboo in the built environment, maximising its full potential and environmental advantages.
Kewei Liu, Coordinator of the INBAR Global Bamboo Construction Programme, mentions:
“The publication of this guide is of great significance in promoting the application of the current ISO 22156:2021 standard, which has been the most widely accepted international bamboo standard since the 2000s. The authors have made a remarkable contribution to the global use of bamboo construction.”
Bamboo is native to all continents apart from Antarctica and Europe, although numerous species successfully thrive across Europe. Its lifecycle makes it an attractive resource in the context of tackling the global climate emergency, as like trees it fixes carbon in its leaves, stem, roots and surrounding soil. Bamboo’s harvest does not disturb the stored carbon in the soil.
Alongside the four leading authors, the manual was also reviewed by eleven expert reviewers. It has ten chapters covering a wide range of topics including the bamboo supply chain; bamboo project management; grading and mechanical characteristics of bamboo; analysis of bamboo structures; seismic and wind hazard design using bamboo; element and connection design; durability; bamboo structural shear walls; and worked examples of bamboo’s structural use in real-life examples.
Dr David Trujillo, University of Warwick concludes:
“The guide is published in the wake of the tragic Hong Kong tower block fires. We share condolences for all those impacted, and await the outcome of investigations as we cannot comment until all the facts are in. However general risk management principles advocate a risk assessment and consideration of use of flame-retardant materials on high rise and closely spaced buildings, along with fire detection and suppression.
“Importantly, and given the wide use of bamboo, this guide sets out provisions for its safe use, including for fire, covering permanent buildings and not scaffolding. Our aim is for this to be a must-use resource for the structural engineer already working with bamboo or considering its use. We also hope it will be a trusted resource for colleagues across the built environment globally, whether in industry or academia.”
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Transfer Slabs – the Risks

   

By Trevor Rushton FRICS, Chairman of Watts Group Limited

Transfer Slabs – Recent Concerns and what you need to know

On 19th December 2025, the Building Safety Regulator issued a letter to principal accountable persons and building owners to draw attention to certain risks that have been identified with reinforced concrete multi-storey buildings that include elements of structure known as transfer slabs. The concerns centre upon a lack of clear design methodology for the design of transfer slabs and the propensity for collapse due to punching shear.

Whilst no actual collapses are known to have occurred, the risks have triggered alarm bells in the construction industry, with recent coverage in the CROSS Newsletter (i), guidance from the Institution of Structural Engineers and RICS who have issued a practice alert to surveyors. Building Owners have been advised to “understand whether they have a transfer slab and seek professional advice where there are visible signs of distress or specific concerns regarding the building’s condition and/or design (ii).”

This brief information paper is intended to explain the background to the problem, the role of transfer slabs and the actions that might be required.

 

 

What is a transfer slab and where might one be found?

A transfer slab is simply a thick reinforced concrete floor slab where a column sits on top of a slab but does not have a column immediately below. In other words, it bridges between supporting columns and provides support to columns from the upper parts of a building. Transfer slabs are common in residential and mixed-use commercial buildings, purpose-built student developments and many high-rise structures. Typical uses would include where the column spacing on the ground floor of a building (possibly commercial space) is greater than the spacing on the first floor and above, or where successive floor plates step back from one another to form terraces.

 What is the concern?

Columns transfer vertical loads to the foundations or other loadbearing elements of a building. The actual load paths can be complex and, in many cases, depend upon the methods used in the design and execution of temporary works when the building is constructed. Furthermore, concrete buildings tend to shrink over time, and this can lead to potentially significant changes in the way that the loads are transferred. Because a transfer slab is taking point loads it must be designed to accommodate the risk of punching shear – the potential for the column to “punch” through the slab in much the same way that a pencil could be pushed through the lid of a cardboard box. Doubts have been expressed over the design methodology applied to the design of slabs in this scenario.

What are the symptoms of punching shear?

One of the difficulties with punching shear is that it is what is termed a brittle failure mode. This means that failures can be sudden, with little or no plastic (permanent) deformation. An early precursor can be the discovery of cracking in the structure, but this cannot be expected to occur in all cases or evidence might be misleading. Indeed, transfer slabs (being thicker than normal) can suffer from significant internal stresses as a result of heat created during curing and longer-term shrinkage – this can also result in the onset of tension cracking particularly where floors and core walls abut. Clearly, evidence of deflection in a flat slab beneath a column might trigger concern, but in an occupied building, particularly with suspended ceiling finishes, it might be very difficult to identify such movement without very detailed measurement.

Are transfer slabs designed using established principles?

No, there are various design and modelling methods but until the end of last year, no universally accepted methodology. Whereas at one time British Standards were usually quite prescriptive, their replacements, in 2005, by the Structural Eurocodes (BS EN1990-1999) are more performance based. Whilst BS 8110 has been withdrawn, compliance with Building Regulations is not dependent upon a specific code as long as the functional requirements are met (iii). Thus, there is scope for various design methodologies including software-based techniques such as finite element analysis; this is all well and good, but the uncertainty lies in the lack of consistency, the complexity of the different forces at play and the risk that a “one size fits all” approach to design can fail to provide adequate capacity.

So, what has been done to address the problem?

The Institution of Structural Engineers has published guidance on this issue, see Design of Transfer Slabs in November 2024 (iv).  The guidance can be downloaded freely from the Institution’s website. Although primarily intended for engineers to establish standard methodologies in design, the guide also provides advice in the verification of existing structures; something that ultimately will require engineering input.

What has RICS recommended?

In its Practice Alert of 14th January 2026 (v), RICS draws mainly upon the Building Safety Regulator’s advice of 19th December: “The government is currently recommending that where there are visible signs of distress or specific concerns regarding a building’s condition or design, building owners should seek immediate professional advice. RICS members who are chartered building surveyors may be instructed to carry out condition surveys of such tall buildings to identify buildings with transfer slabs. If a building is identified, then a suitable expert structural engineer will be required to carry out more in-depth analysis. RICS recommends that IStructE are contacted for suitable competent engineers.”

Is there reason to be concerned?

Yes and no. Clearly the risks are such that a warning should be issued, but the mere existence of a transfer slab does not mean that failure is inevitable or that immediate steps need be taken to evacuate the building or to provide additional precautions against collapse. The BSR is currently working with the Building Advisory Committee in co-operation with MHCLG and so further guidance is likely to be issued in due course. Unless there is unmistakable evidence of a problem the BSR’s advice could be seen as somewhat of a “hurry up and wait” approach.

However, a prudent first step would be to review any potential cases to see if a transfer slab is likely to exist and thus start to narrow the issue down to more manageable proportions. Such an exercise ought to be within the remit of suitably experienced Chartered Building Surveyors in the first instance but detailed analysis is something that will demand structural engineering advice. A desktop study of construction drawings ought to indicate whether there is potential for a transfer slab, but this will probably need to be followed up by site inspection. Examination of the structural philosophy (if it is within the health and safety file) may also show whether transfer slabs have been employed.

On current projects, the engineering aspects of the design can be reviewed against the latest IStructE guidance but for existing buildings, the trail may be less certain with the potential need for non-intrusive tests or exploratory work to confirm the design and reinforcement details in relevant cases.

How does the matter affect surveyors?

Given the RICS Practice Alert, regulated firms need to have regard to the nature of the concerns and would be expected to have regard to the guidance available at the time of any survey. This would probably include the identification of a transfer slab (as opposed to a slab designed with downstand beams) and, usually, a recommendation for further enquiry. As RICS warns “RICS members who believe that a building may have a transfer slab, should advise the building owner to instruct a suitably qualified and competent CEng member of the Institution of Structural Engineers or Institution of Civil Engineers, satisfying themselves that such professionals have expertise in this area.”

In addition to the above, and specifically in relation to High Rise Buildings, it is possible that Building Safety Case Reports may need to be re-visited and amended. (vi)

A detailed analysis of a transfer slab is something that is outside the remit of the average Chartered Building Surveyor, but recognition of the form of structure is not and there will now be a reasonable expectation that a surveyor will have flagged the existence or possible existence of this form of construction and made appropriate recommendations for further advice.

Conclusion

In summary, while the recent alerts from the Building Safety Regulator, IStructE and RICS highlight legitimate concerns around the design and performance of transfer slabs, it does not necessarily follow that the construction is defective.  The alerts serve as a prompt for building owners, surveyors, and engineers to review existing structures and to see that appropriate professional expertise is engaged where uncertainties arise.

By adopting a proportionate, evidence‑based approach—beginning with the identification of potential transfer slabs and escalating to specialist engineering appraisal only where justified—the industry can manage risk sensibly while awaiting further clarity from the regulator. Understanding, careful documentation and early engagement with competent structural engineers will be key to ensuring building safety, regulatory compliance, and continued confidence in the built environment.

References

i. https://www.cross-safety.org/uk/safety-information/cross-safety-report/punching-shear-assessments-flat-slabs-supporting-out-1301

ii. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/potential-risks-from-transfer-slabs-in-buildings/potential-risks-from-transfer-slabs-in-buildings?deliveryName=DM247793

iii. https://www.ice.org.uk/areas-of-interest/buildings-and-structures/ice-update-structural-engineering-codes

iv. https://www.istructe.org/resources/news/istructe-statement-punching-shear-transfer-slabs/

v. https://m.servicemail.rics.org/rest/head/mirrorPage/@UzEoPJEU1w60a03AS3z1SUmzGyKvsD9DXbPQ4EriXh8osLjeXGaKnCeyHH5tTgBqTDUn3Swix83YusZsFQvFX5nyK_lLFUhMBjZKuYlYLRCXX7ez.html?deliveryName=DM247793

vi. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/criteria-for-being-a-higher-risk-building-during-the-occupation-phase-of-the-new-higher-risk-regime

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Funding Delays Bristol Avon Flood Strategy

The construction of new flood defences along the River Avon will not begin for at least another five years.

In autumn 2025, Bristol City Council hired Jacobs UK to draw up plans for the Bristol Avon Flood Strategy. However, construction will not start until 2030 at the earliest.

A funding strategy has not yet been finalised, with the defences expected to cost around £250 million to build.

Construction of the defences is expected to take seven years and should protect the city from rising sea levels due to climate change.

A lack of detailed updates about the flood defences was criticised during a meeting of the member forum on 13 January, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Andrew Brown, chair of the economy and skills policy committee, said:

“A funding strategy has been developed that explores a range of feasible scenarios to finance the construction phase, which will be developed further as the full business case is progressed.”

Critical infrastructure like roads and train stations could be affected by higher tides and stronger storms and the city’s transport network could be severed by flooding, according to previous council reports.

The primary threat is from tidal flooding, expected to grow as polar ice sheets melt.

The plans include building nine miles of flood defences along the Avon from Swineford to the east of Bristol, through the city centre and up to Shirehampton.

The council is working with the Environment Agency and the West of England Combined Authority to get them built.

Construction was initially expected to begin next year, but now won’t start until the next decade.

Brown added:

“We are now in contract with Jacobs and work has been progressing well in mobilising the new team and facilitating a smooth transition from the previous phase of the project.

“Our current programme shows an earliest possible construction start in 2030/31, while opportunities for quick wins and third party delivery opportunities will be continually explored.”

Source: AOL

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Welsh Hydrogen Policy

   

Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary Economy Energy and Planning

 

I am pleased that today (19.01.26) we are publishing our hydrogen policy.

Wales is rich in renewable energy resources which provides a tremendous opportunity for low carbon hydrogen production.  The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring hydrogen is deployed safely and effectively, making the best use of the technology to deliver decarbonisation and economic benefit for Wales.

Following a public consultation which ended in May 2025, we have taken time to consider fully the consultation responses, the advice of the Climate Change Committee on Wales’ Fourth Carbon Budget, and the UK Government Spending Review and Modern Industrial Strategy.  We have also considered how this policy will align with the recently published Welsh Government strategic Carbon Capture and Storage policy.

The hydrogen policy we publish today highlights the strategic importance of hydrogen infrastructure to decarbonisation and sustainable economic growth in Wales.  The policy aligns with UK Government hydrogen business models and support mechanisms, providing the best opportunity for Welsh developers to successfully access Hydrogen Allocation Rounds, while also reflecting a clear commitment to our well-being objectives.

Designing our hydrogen policy

Our vision for the future of industry and energy generation is one in which sustainable industries are retained in Wales, and continue to generate high-quality jobs and careers, and other benefits for the communities in which they operate.  Wales is proud of its industrial base, and we must encourage the investment necessary to support a transition to a decarbonised, sustainable future.

Guided by the advice and views of the Climate Change Committee, Net Zero Industry Wales, UK Government regulatory groups, and our industrial, academic and public stakeholders, we are taking bold steps to support industry in decarbonising, as set out in Net Zero Wales, our strategic plan to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The Welsh Government recognises the importance of hydrogen for decarbonisation, particularly for sectors that are hard to electrify, such as heavy industry and certain transport applications.  We also recognise the significant economic opportunities the technology can deliver for industry, business and citizens in Wales. Hydrogen projects will create jobs and careers during construction, operation and maintenance, as well as safeguarding jobs in other sectors and providing wider supply chain opportunities.

Consultation Details and Outcomes

The consultation received sixty-two responses representing a broad cross-section from industry, academia, government bodies, trade organisations and individuals, and I would like to thank those who responded.

Many respondents used the consultation to stress how important hydrogen is for decarbonising industry and energy, in particular for sectors that are challenging to electrify. Most respondents supported aligning the policy with the UK Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard, and the requirement for hydrogen to make a clear and sustainable contribution to decarbonisation and building a stronger, greener economy that avoids de-industrialisation.

Some responses questioned how the energy hierarchy within Planning Policy Wales would apply to the specific nature of hydrogen developments. The role of the hierarchy is to guide energy investment towards reduced energy use, efficiency gains and renewable energy.  Hydrogen has a strategic role in achieving these aims, and we are committed to producing additional guidance that will clarify how hydrogen aligns with the energy hierarchy.

Final Strategic Policy for Hydrogen

The published policy encourages investment in the production and deployment of hydrogen where:

  • The hydrogen production process meets the requirements of the UK Government Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard (LCHS).
  • Where hydrogen makes a clear, measurable and sustained contribution to meeting decarbonisation targets and objectives.
  • Where hydrogen production does not contribute to unsustainable levels of fossil fuel use or impede our transition to net-zero.
  • Where hydrogen contributes to growing a sustainable economy.

The consideration of a development’s emissions intensity, rather than prescribing favoured technologies, provides developers with the broadest possible scope to devise innovative approaches to sector and site-specific challenges.  The policy also provides additional clarity and a solid foundation from which we will continue to work with the UK Government, regulators and developers to help deliver both Welsh and UK net-zero ambitions.

Our finalised strategic policy position for hydrogen will sit alongside our evolving policy framework, designed to avoid the extraction and use of fossil fuels, provide alternatives for fuel switching, and managing those emissions that cannot be avoided.

Source: Welsh Government

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Buying Chinese Steel ‘Beggars Belief’

Chinese steel will be used for a taxpayer-funded £4billion green power plant on the site of the former Redcar steelworks – sparking accusations of a ‘betrayal’ of British workers.

A deal for 7,000 tons of construction steel has been agreed between Net Zero Teesside (NZT) and China’s Modern Modular Engineering and Construction Company (MMEC) – despite the same type of steel being available from suppliers including state-run British Steel.

NZT receives government funding through Ed Miliband’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and is backed by BP, Norwegian firm Equinor and French energy giant Total.

It was first revealed to be considering Chinese steel in November, resulting in a huge backlash – particularly given the power station site’s location on part of the former Redcar steelworks in North Yorkshire, which shut in 2015.

It is understood that MMEC’s steel was preferred because it comes from an electric arc furnace and so meets green aspirations, whereas British Steel’s would be from the Scunthorpe blast furnaces.

A source said:

‘This is damaging for UK jobs and is a missed opportunity when so much taxpayers’ money is involved.’

Gareth Stace, director general of UK Steel, also said use of Chinese steel ‘beggars belief’. ‘For a major, taxpayer-supported project, this is deeply disappointing and should never have been allowed to happen.

‘UK producers, including British Steel in the region, have both the capability and capacity to supply this steel.’

Tees Valley’s Tory Mayor Ben Houchen called the contract decision a ‘betrayal’ of British workers and manufacturing.

He said:

‘Teesside is living proof of the devastation caused to surrounding communities by the closure of industries like steel-making.

‘To now use Chinese steel on the very site where our own steelworks shut a decade ago is nothing short of a slap in the face, yet the Government has stood by and let this happen.

‘This decision tells you everything you need to know about Labour’s complete lack of a serious industrial strategy and its disgraceful disregard for British manufacturing and British workers, including those in Teesside, who will rightly see this as a betrayal.’

Minister for Industry Chris McDonald told us:

‘We expect Net Zero Teesside Power to use UK steel wherever possible.

‘This government and the country at large share an ambition to grow industry, open factories and create well paid jobs in communities that need them.

‘We will continue to champion British steelmaking and our steel communities now and for generations to come.’

Source: This is Money

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Hochiki Middle East Wins Best Active Fire Safety Product at Intersec Awards 2026

Dubai, UAE – 13th January 2026 – Hochiki Middle East has been recognised at the prestigious Intersec Awards in Dubai, winning Best Active Fire Safety Product for its ACD Multi-Sensor with CO, reaffirming the company’s commitment to innovation and life safety excellence.

The award-winning ACD Multi-Sensor with CO combines advanced smoke and carbon monoxide detection technologies to deliver faster, more reliable fire detection while significantly reducing false alarms. Designed to perform in a wide range of challenging environments, the solution reflects Hochiki’s continued investment in intelligent, high-performance fire safety systems.

Commenting on the achievement, Subin Suhus, Senior Sales Manager at Hochiki Middle East, said:

“This award is a proud moment for our entire team. The ACD Multi-Sensor with CO is the result of close collaboration with our partners and customers, and it addresses the real-world challenges faced by the fire safety industry. Being recognised at Intersec reinforces our commitment to delivering reliable, future-ready solutions to the region.”

Shinsuke Kubo, Managing Director of Hochiki Middle East, added

“Winning at the Intersec Awards is a significant milestone for Hochiki Middle East and the wider Hochiki Group. It reflects not only the strength of our technology, but our global commitment to advancing life safety through innovation, rigorous engineering and long-term customer trust. We are honoured to stand alongside the industry’s leading brands.”

The Intersec Awards celebrate excellence and innovation across the global safety, security and fire protection industries, making this win a notable achievement for Hochiki Middle East and its growing portfolio of advanced fire detection solutions.

 

To learn more about the winning ACD Multisensor with CO visit the Hochiki website. 

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New towns – we need engineers to build them

‘New towns can drive industrial growth – but we need engineers to build them’

The publication of the New Towns Taskforce’s final report marks a significant step towards addressing two long-standing national challenges: the affordable housing crisis and the need for stronger, more productive local economies. This means new towns offer a practical mechanism for advancing the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, by supporting its ambition to create 1.1 million well-paid jobs and boost economic growth. If spatial planning and infrastructure delivery for new towns are aligned with the strategy’s wider priorities, these places could become engines of regional renewal.

But achieving the housing goals set out by the taskforce will demand a major increase in capacity across planning, construction and development. Investment in a strong pipeline of skilled engineering professionals – alongside clear regionally specific delivery pathways and coordinated infrastructure planning – is the only way these towns will be built successfully and quickly enough to deliver the growth they are capable of.

Local delivery

Planning infrastructure and industry together allows new towns to reduce delivery risk, build local skills and attract investment aligned with the green and digital transitions. In turn, through infrastructure-led development, new towns can reflect and reinforce the ambitions of the Modern Industrial Strategy. This means designing new settlements around sustainable transport, clean energy systems and high-quality digital connectivity from the outset, ensuring the physical foundations for long-term economic resilience are in place.

Yet while the Modern Industrial Strategy is national in its ambition, its success will ultimately depend on effective local delivery, relying on a range of interconnected factors. Infrastructure has to be planned and delivered with a clear understanding of how it will shape the emerging place. It must also be operational ahead of occupation – without this, existing public facilities and transport networks risk becoming overstretched long before the benefits are realised.

Skills pipeline

Many of the services that new towns depend on are already constrained by limited funding and longstanding inefficiencies. Schools, GP surgeries, elderly care provision and high street retail often struggle to meet current demand, let alone the needs of major new communities.

Addressing these issues requires more than investment alone – a strong pipeline of skilled professionals, who can deliver the homes, employment spaces and infrastructure is essential, but capacity is falling short. Research shows that 82% of local authorities struggle to recruit town planners, while there are long-standing skills gaps across engineering.

Expanding access to the right skills is critical to resolving this. This means developing clearer career pathways across both the public and private sectors, ensuring people can gain the expertise needed to plan, design and build thriving new places.

Economic identities

To support long-term resilience, each new town should be shaped around the existing economic identity of its region – the distinctive mix of industries, skills, assets and specialisms that already define how a local economy operates. An identity includes the sectors a place is known for, the workforce strengths it has built over time, the research institutions or anchor employers located there, and the supply chains that support them.

By understanding these existing foundations, new towns can build on what already works well. This would help maximise local growth potential and position new towns as catalysts for regional specialisation rather than isolated, standalone developments.

When planners identify the industries that already drive local economies, they can integrate the training provision, workspace, infrastructure and digital connectivity needed to support those sectors to grow. In doing so, new towns can evolve into engines of economic development that reinforce and expand the industries most likely to deliver high-value jobs and long-term prosperity.

This can already be seen in several locations earmarked for new town development. Heyford Park for example, a designated new town location, is home to the Heyford Innovation Centre and a rapidly growing clean technologies ecosystem. New town status could accelerate this trajectory, helping to establish a major green growth hub. With this goal embedded from the beginning, essential low-carbon infrastructure and net-zero design principles can be integrated early in the development process.

Long-term prosperity

When planned in alignment with the Modern Industrial Strategy, new towns can deliver far greater impact. By embracing and amplifying regional industrial specialisms, they can reinvigorate local economies and create the certainty needed to attract long-term business investment. This coud help generate the jobs the UK urgently needs – not only in the planning, construction and engineering required to deliver new towns, but also across the wider sectors those towns are designed to support. Ultimately, new towns and the Industrial Strategy can reinforce each other, unlocking sustainable growth for communities across the country.

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Choosing change: the mindset shaping Yanmar CE’s digital future

  
Shigenobu Tanaka on curiosity, community, and building a culture ready for transformation.

Some transformations begin with technology, while others begin with a decision. For Shigenobu Tanaka, Head of Digital Transformation and IT Infrastructure at Yanmar Compact Equipment (Yanmar CE), that decision came after 35 years in international engineering, planning, and software development roles.

“I felt it was the right moment to change direction before turning 60,” he says with charismatic calm. “I wanted to take everything I’d learned in my career and use it in a new environment with fresh opportunities.”

His global career took him from early engineering roles in Japan, to two years in the United States supporting the service department within the sales office, and then to hands-on manufacturing assignments in the UK. He later transitioned into software, partner programs, and software product planning during a long tenure at Panasonic.

Across each chapter, he built a reputation for connecting people who thought differently.

“I learned how important it is to stand between perspectives and help everyone understand one another,” he shares – an instinct that would later guide Yanmar CE’s digital evolution.

A fresh start with clear purpose

Tanaka joined Yanmar CE in 2020, beginning in the Quality Planning Group. The department was handling rising volumes of customer data, yet much of the work still relied on exporting information into spreadsheets and building documents manually. It was careful work, but time-consuming. And so, he helped introduce Dr. Sum (a Japanese-developed database) and MotionBoard (a Japanese business-intelligence tool) – creating centralized dashboards that replaced days of preparation with minutes.

As data from across the organization came together, teams gained a clearer, real-time picture. “Data compilation is not a job that humans should do; making decisions is what humans should do,” he recalls hearing. It became the foundation for a new way of working.

The impact was immediate. Quality Assurance teams in Japan, Europe, and the United States were suddenly working in the same rhythm. “I wanted the platform to feel like ‘one Yanmar CE’,” he says. The early success soon inspired the creation of the Digital Transformation Department in 2022, which he was entrusted to lead.

People at the center of progress

Tanaka believed digital transformation should grow from the ground up. The approach became known internally as “grassroots DX” – a blend of mindset, culture, and community involvement. He launched internal working groups that encouraged shared learning, experimentation, and peer support. Today, more than 200 Yanmar CE employees participate in the digital community he helped build. “People’s mindsets have shifted in a remarkable way,” he says. “The community has played a major role in that change.”

His influence extends far beyond Yanmar. Tanaka leads the nest Kyushu/Okinawa and Manufacturing Data Utilization Working Groups – both part of a nationwide user community focused on strengthening how companies use their data and the tools that support it, including Dr. Sum and MotionBoard. He also contributes to UiPath’s global automation community, and has been recognized as a ‘Data Driven Meister’ – an honor awarded by WingArc1st Inc. to individuals who improve data-driven practices and digital transformation, “bringing smiles to the world through data utilization.”

These exchanges keep him connected to global trends and broaden his thinking. “Connecting with people across organizations brings new ideas and the kind of support only peers can offer,” he says. “That connection is powerful.”

Exploring AI with balance and clarity

Generative AI has become a new dimension of Yanmar CE’s digital journey. For Tanaka, the aim is faster, more informed decision-making rather than automation for its own sake. He anchors AI within the Yanmar Group’s “feedback loop” – gathering data, making decisions, taking action, and reviewing issues to accelerate improvement.

But he is pragmatic about its limits. “Generative AI is not omnipotent,” he says. “It’s like a new employee – you guide it and help it improve.” He often reminds colleagues that AI should be adopted even if its accuracy sits at 50 percent; progress comes from refining it through use. “AI supports the work, but people provide the judgment.”

Examples within Yanmar CE are already emerging. Human Resources is piloting a natural-language search tool that lets employees ask policy questions and receive the relevant section instantly, rather than scrolling through long PDF documents. Elsewhere, workflows built on Dr. Sum and MotionBoard are digitizing back-office tasks such as invoice matching, turning manual checks into quick comparisons and smoothing approval processes.

Faster insight, stronger outcomes

For customers, the effect is felt in clearer decisions and a faster response cycle. With earlier insight comes earlier action – issues are resolved before they escalate, strengthening machine reliability and improving the overall customer experience.

Tanaka also sees these shifts reflected across the global industry. Europe and the United States are moving rapidly toward real-time data and AI-supported workflows, while other regions move at their own pace. Many manufacturers are embracing “citizen development,” giving employees the ability to build the tools they need themselves. “Technology evolves, but people carry the organization,” he says.

Shaping the industry’s future mindset

Tanaka’s outlook aligns with Yanmar Group’s Guidelines: question the familiar, stay open-minded, collaborate widely, and approach change without fear. He remains active in communities inside and outside Yanmar, valuing the exchange of ideas across generations. “Being part of the community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” he smiles.

He now hopes to support the next generation of digital leaders and help younger employees develop the confidence to shape Yanmar CE’s future. For someone who embraced reinvention at 57, this feels natural. “Organizations are living things,” he says. “They change with time.” For Tanaka, the journey of Digital Transformation is ongoing – shaped by curiosity, collective effort, and the willingness to choose change.

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How much ex-landfill is there in the UK?

There are roughly 20,000 historic landfill sites covering approximately 62,000 hectares, or 0.41% of the land area of England and Wales.

These sites vary widely in size, from small local tips to large former industrial waste sites, and many date back decades to a time before modern environmental regulations. As a result, many, especially pre-1990, often have poor documentation on which types of waste were deposited there. 
The issues with developing this land

Ex-landfill sites are difficult to develop for several reasons.

  • Ground instability – The contents of landfill are often diverse, and as this waste continues to decompose and compact, the land can sink unevenly. This can cause issues with instability and settlement, even years after waste was deposited. Any future buildings may experience structural damage and subsidence.

  • Emissions – As waste in landfills decomposes, it can release harmful gases, including methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, among others. These gases pose health and safety risks, including explosions, toxicity, and environmental damage.

  • Contamination – Older landfill sites can contain hazardous materials like chemicals, asbestos and industrial waste. When rainwater or groundwater filters through buried waste, it creates a toxic liquid known as leachate. This can then find its way into the surrounding soil and waterways, presenting risks to human health, wildlife and the environment.

All of this also creates hurdles when it comes to obtaining planning permission and adds increased costs to projects.

What it can’t be used for

As a result, this means ex-landfill sites are usually unsuitable for:

  • High-rise buildings, due to the risk of structural damage.

  • Underground parking, as this would require excavation, which could disturb the site.

  • Schools, hospitals or playgrounds, which may bring vulnerable populations close to contamination.

  • Food production sites, as these carry stronger environmental and public health regulations.

  • Large industrial plants, which may house heavy machinery unsuitable for this ground.

Some innovative uses for the land 

Before an ex-landfill site is developed, it must be properly capped, engineered and requires ongoing monitoring to ensure that contamination, emissions and stability are not compromised. Each site is unique and will require assessment; not every former landfill site will be fit for reuse.

  1. Renewable energy projects – While ex-landfill sites often can’t support heavy buildings, they can be an effective choice for lightweight infrastructure. As a result, we’re seeing much of this land being used for renewable energy with adaptations into solar farms, methane capture projects or battery storage.

  2. Biodiversity and environmental projects – One of the most common uses is to turn these sites into ecological developments. It’s common to see ex-landfill being used for wildlife habitats and nature reserves or rewilding. However, a more innovative use case is to utilise brownfield sites for flood management schemes, helping to protect communities from adverse weather and climate change.

  3. Transport and infrastructure – Ex-landfill sites tend to sit within close proximity to towns, cities or industry, and as a result, they are usually well placed to be transformed into vital infrastructure. These sites can be converted into car parks, park-and-ride systems, cycle routes or even transport depots.

  4. Data centres – with the rise of AI, we need to expand our capacity for data centres, and the brownfield land that is left behind by landfill can make an ideal choice. Data centres are usually low-rise and have a wide footprint, making them compatible with the engineering constraints of ex-landfill.

Mark Hall, waste management expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, comments on the need to reduce general waste heading to landfill:

“As pressure mounts on land, energy systems, biodiversity, and digital infrastructure, ex-landfill sites are emerging as unlikely but valuable assets which offer well-needed space without the need to sacrifice greenfield land.

“However, utilising brownfield sites doesn’t negate the need to reduce our reliance on landfill. “Around 13.1 million tonnes of waste are still sent to UK landfills each year, enough to cover roughly 1,000 football pitches a metre deep. We must look at how we can divert waste to more environmentally friendly disposal methods and support our circular economy.”

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