E.ON Next and Glasgow City Council join forces with the Wise Group to ease child poverty

E.ON Next has announced a landmark collaboration with Glasgow City Council (GCC) in support of its Child Poverty Programme. The project, delivered in conjunction with the Wise Group, aims at tackling fuel poverty for some of the city’s most vulnerable people – ultimately making homes more comfortable and cheaper to run. 

This first-of-its-kind project in Scotland will combine tailored family support with cutting-edge energy efficiency measures that are guaranteed to reduce household bills. Measures will include the funding and installation of home battery systems by E.ON Next for some of Glasgow’s most vulnerable households, allowing them to store energy when it’s cheaper and use it at more expensive times.  

This new initiative is a key component of the council’s 24-point plan across the city and supports the GCC Child Poverty Programme’s ‘whole family approach’ to alleviating poverty. It also supports Glasgow’s renewable energy ambitions, forming part of a comprehensive package of assistance for eligible households that are E.ON Next customers. 

Backed by in-depth home efficiency surveys, the project will include debt relief for people struggling to pay their bills, and new, energy-efficient white goods, helping families to unlock meaningful savings. By making sustainable energy more accessible and affordable for the people of Glasgow, it is estimated families could save up to 30% on their monthly electricity bills through batteries alone.  

The Wise Group will play a key role as the conduit between the energy efficiency measures provided by E.ON Next and the people who need it the most - delivering trusted mentoring that will help families navigate challenges, build financial resilience, and access wider support to create better futures for the city’s children.  

The initial phase of the project will support up to 100 homes across the city, with the aim of expanding the initiative to more households in the future. This work comes at a critical time for the city. More than a quarter (26%) of Glasgow’s children – nearly 26,000 young people – live in relative poverty, while almost 10,000 of these are classed as living in deep poverty. 

Chris Norbury, CEO of E.ON UK, said: “Millions of households, especially the most vulnerable, are still struggling with essential bills and worrying about the cost of energy. By scaling up smart solutions like home batteries we can cut bills today, enable energy flexibility, and build resilience for tomorrow. This collaboration with Glasgow City Council ensures support reaches the families who need it most, giving them real control over their energy use and helping lift children out of poverty. Together, we’re setting a new standard for how innovation and collaboration can deliver lasting change for communities, with clean and affordable energy as the foundation.” 

E.ON Next will work closely with Glasgow City Council and the Wise Group to reach families who stand to benefit most from the project, which will use data from E.ON Next, the Department for Work and Pensions, and Glasgow City Council to accurately identify households most in need of targeted support.

Councillor Ricky Bell, Depute Leader and City Treasurer of Glasgow City Council, said: "Tackling child poverty is an urgent priority for Glasgow. We know that too many families are struggling to provide the basics for their children – like good food and a warm home. 

“This collaboration will give Glasgow a chance to make a real, daily difference in energy costs for households that need support the most. Crucially, as well as improving home energy efficiency, the pilot will aim to provide a much wider package of support, focused on the needs of families.” 

Sean Duffy, Chief Executive of the Wise Group, said: "Fuel poverty doesn’t exist in isolation - it’s part of a wider cycle of hardship. This trial shows how we can break that cycle. By combining smart battery tech with trusted, whole-household mentoring, we’re not just managing bills - we’re unlocking stability, wellbeing and economic participation. 

"Glasgow is leading by example here - showing how data, trust and targeted support can come together to reduce pressure on families and public services alike. The project also acts as a national demonstrator of how local government, the third sector and industry can integrate delivery to accelerate just transition, reduce energy debt, and prevent child poverty at scale.” 

E.ON Next brings extensive experience in innovation-led sustainable energy projects seeking to make low-carbon technologies accessible and affordable for everyone. From all-inclusive energy packages that remove financial barriers to low-carbon solutions, to innovation projects in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire delivering free batteries and insulation, E.ON Next is committed to ensuring everyone benefits from the transition to clean, affordable energy.  

The Glasgow project builds on the success of E.ON’s Coventry battery trial, delivered through the company’s 15-year strategic energy partnership with the city.