If you’re a homeowner or renter in Bolton, Salford, or Wigan, you may already know the impact of rising energy costs. For thousands of local families, fuel poverty isn’t just a headline or political talking point—it’s a daily challenge. 

For this reason, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has partnered with Next Energy to combat fuel poverty and improve home energy efficiency across the region. Through this partnership, Next Energy is delivering ECO4 government-funded upgrades—such as insulation, modern heating systems, and renewable energy improvements—to eligible households in Bolton, Salford, and Wigan. 

In this article, we’ll explore how the ECO4 scheme, delivered by Next Energy in partnership with the GMCA, is making local homes warmer, healthier, and more affordable. 

Why Action Is Needed: Fuel Poverty in Greater Manchester

Fuel poverty remains a significant issue across our communities*. With energy prices at record highs and the cost-of-living crisis deepening, thousands of families are struggling to keep their homes warm and safe. Recent data shows that fuel poverty rates in the Great Manchester area are consistently above the national average[*, *, *], with vulnerable groups, including children and those with health conditions, at greatest risk*.

Let’s take a look at some important statistics:

• In Bolton, 14.9% of households are in fuel poverty—higher than the national average of 13.1%*.
• Salford and Eccles see over 8,200 households in fuel poverty, but when accounting for rising energy prices, more than 30,000 households (51.1%) are struggling to keep warm*.
• In Wigan, 6,751 households—one in seven—are living in fuel poverty. These figures are also above the national average*.

Fuel poverty doesn’t just affect comfort. It impacts health*, well-being, and even life expectancy*. For example, in Bolton, 41.6% of children live in low-income households, with some of these families having to choose between heating and eating*. This makes it more important than ever to help residents access schemes like ECO4 that can make a real difference in tackling fuel poverty in our communities.

GMCA: Leading the Fight Against Fuel Poverty

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is currently at the forefront of tackling fuel poverty. The GMCA is working in partnership with local councils, health services, and community organisations to help residents in Bolton, Salford, Wigan, and across Greater Manchester keep their homes warmer and energy bills lower.

Some of the support currently available includes:

• The Warm Homes Local Grant and Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund help to pay for better insulation and heating in homes, especially for people on low incomes or living in social housing.
• ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) make sure funding for home energy improvements goes to those who need it most.
• Collaborating with local authorities, universities, and health partners to find out who needs help and make sure support gets to the right people.
• Providing residents with the GMCA Retrofit Portal to check if they qualify for help and get advice on making their homes more energy efficient. You can click here to access the portal.

You can learn more about the GMCA’s incredible work and find additional resources on their official website. 

The ECO4 Scheme: Making a Real Difference

The ECO4 scheme (Energy Company Obligation, phase 4) is a government-backed initiative targeting the UK’s least energy-efficient homes. The scheme aims to help low-income and vulnerable households access free or subsidised energy-saving upgrades.

Who is Eligible for ECO4?

The scheme helps those most affected by fuel poverty in Greater Manchester. Check if your household meets the eligibility criteria for an ECO4 grant:

• Eligible homeowners and private renters (with landlord’s consent).
• Households with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G.
• Those receiving qualifying benefits (e.g., Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Child Tax Credits, Housing Benefit).
• Vulnerable households, including those with health conditions worsened by cold homes, may also qualify through local authority “flex” rules.
• Low-income households (those with a combined household income of £31,000 or less). 

If you’re unsure about your ECO4 eligibility, contact Next Energy today for friendly advice and to see if you could benefit from a grant.

What Upgrades are Available Through ECO4?

Eligible households can benefit from a variety of energy efficiency upgrades through the ECO4 scheme, making homes warmer and more affordable to heat:

• Loft insulation
• Solid wall insulation (including internal and external wall insulation)
• Cavity wall insulation
• Heating system upgrades (including new gas boilers and electric heating).
• Renewable energy installations (such as solar panels and air source heat pumps).
• Draught proofing and other energy efficiency measures.

These improvements could save households hundreds of pounds a year on energy bills* and make homes safer and healthier.

If you think you or somebody you know might qualify for ECO4 support, or you want to make your home more energy efficient, Next Energy is here to help. Our team can guide you through the eligibility check, application, and installation process—making it simple to access government-backed grants and start saving.Start by visiting our Next Energy Grant Application page to check your eligibility and begin your application.

Contact Next Energy today to see if you’re eligible for ECO4.