Ahead of the Budget, E.ON is marking Fuel Poverty Awareness Day 2025 by urging Government and industry to accelerate innovative solutions that help households manage rising energy costs today and for the future.

Across the UK, millions of people – including families with children – remain in fuel poverty. After more than four years of the energy crisis sparked by the war in Ukraine, household budgets are stretched to breaking point and energy debt is at record levels. Many are being forced to choose between falling further into arrears or living in cold, unhealthy homes that undermine both physical and mental wellbeing.

The scale of the challenge remains stark:

In England, an estimated 2.73 million households (11%) were in fuel poverty in 2024 under the LILEE metric.

In Scotland, around 830,000 households (33%) are projected to be in fuel poverty between October and December 2025—up 10,000 from the previous quarter.

In Wales, 25% of all households (340,000) were in fuel poverty in 2024, including 83% of lower-income households, with nearly a quarter of those in severe fuel poverty.

“We are hearing more and more stories of hardworking people who can no longer afford to heat their homes properly or enjoy simple comforts like baking for loved ones,” said Ramona Vlasiu, Chief Operating Officer, E.ON Next“With Christmas approaching and temperatures falling, that pressure will only intensify. The clean energy transition can make the cost of living more affordable – and the innovative trials we’re delivering around the country today show what’s possible. Now we need to scale these solutions, so no household is left behind.”

E.ON has long advocated that affordability and sustainability must go hand-in-hand. The company continues to invest in solutions sand innovations that reduce bills, improve energy efficiency, and make low-carbon technologies accessible to more people. Recent initiatives include:

A pioneering partnership with Northern Powergrid providing free batteries and insulation to cut customer bills.

Next Gen Home, a market-first proposition removing upfront cost barriers to sustainable home technologies.

A Strategic Energy Partnership with Coventry City Council, using Warm Homes Discount funds to install batteries in eligible homes.

E.ON trials to date have delivered meaningful savings for customers, of up to £480 per household per year. If rolled out nationally, the Northern Powergrid model could deliver substantial financial relief for households in fuel poverty.

Beyond the numbers, real people such as Janet, Ron and Angus are already feeling the difference in their day-to-day lives (VIDEOS).

Ramona Vlasiu continues: “Our trials across the country prove that flexibility puts people in control of their energy use. It lowers their bills and reduces pressure on the network, helping us to get the most out of our cleaner energy sources. We should be treating flexibility as a core national asset, and putting batteries and other sustainable technologies into homes across the country – particularly for people who need the most financial support – should be the start of that journey.

Duncan Oliphant, Head of Commercial Flexibility at Northern Powergrid said: “Flexibility enables us to operate, plan and deliver a more efficient electricity distribution network. The better we can balance local generation, storage and consumption the more control, predictability, and optionality we have over where and when we invest in the network – ensuring we make the optimum investment decisions on behalf of our customers.”

E.ON also offers a range of more immediate support packages for customers struggling with the cost of living. Specially trained energy specialists provide sensitive, practical help for those facing financial difficulty, health or social challenges, or changes in circumstances. Support includes flexible payment arrangements, access to the E.ON Next Energy Fund—which can clear energy

debt and provide essential energy-efficient appliances—and eligibility-based energy-efficiency measures for longer-term resilience. E.ON works closely with leading debt-advice charities to design and deliver effective customer support, and through the partnership with Lightning Reach, customers can easily access personalised grants and assistance from thousands of UK schemes. -ENDS-

VIDEOS available

Angus - https://youtu.be/5ElT__sDoAc

Janet - https://youtu.be/xScM6kAbkAI

Ron - https://youtu.be/auY45_BJGU8

About E.ON Next

E.ON Next is committed to providing innovative energy solutions that empower customers while contributing to a sustainable future. With a focus on affordability and customer satisfaction, E.ON Next offers a range of products and services designed to meet the evolving needs of households across the UK. www.eonnext.com

About Northern Powergrid

Northern Powergrid is the electricity distribution network operator for the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire. It delivers power safely and reliably to 8 million customers across 3.9 million homes and businesses through its network of more than 63,000 substations and 60,000 miles of overhead power lines and underground cables, spanning some 9,650 square miles.

In an evolving energy industry, Northern Powergrid has a key role in creating and managing future energy systems that increasingly interact with customers and smart and low carbon technologies. The company is innovating and investing today so its network is ready for the demands of a net zero tomorrow. Find out more about Northern Powergrid at northernpowergrid.com or on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Legal information

The information (including any forecasts or projections) contained in these press releases (the "Information") reflects the views and opinions of E.ON on the date of the press release. The Information is intended as a guide only and nothing contained within these press releases is to be taken, or relied upon, as advice. E.ON makes no warranties, representations or undertakings about any of the Information (including, without limitation, any as to its quality, accuracy, completeness or fitness for any particular purpose) and E.ON accepts no liability whatsoever for any action or omission taken by you in relation to the Information. Any reliance you place on the Information is solely at your own risk. These press releases are the property of E.ON and you may not copy, modify, publish, repost or distribute it without our permission. © E.ON 2025

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