Octopus Energy has released a statement after it was criticised fr its endorsement of heat pumps. The British energy provider has been promoting heat pumps and listing potential benefits households might enjoy when they make a switch. Green energy industrialist and environmentalist Dale Vince hit out at Octopus Energy over its promotion of heat pumps, and claimed they were being misrepresented to the public. He called heat pumps a "niche technology that can't move the dial" for the UK's net zero goals.

He then made accusations against Greg Jackson, Octopus Energy's chief executive, and said there were "urgent questions" over whether he influenced a recent Government policy, which sees households getting £7,500 grants to help pay for a pump. He accused the energy provider boss of having "nearly as many Government roles as an Octopus has tentacles", and said the Government scheme represents "significant potential conflicts of interest". He went on to say Octopus Energy "stands to gain significantly from the recently announced Government policy".

However, Octopus Energy released a strong statement in response to Vince's claims. It said that Vince made "wild and categorically unfounded insinuations" and that this was "the latest in a string of unprovoked attacks by Mr Vince".

An Octopus Energy spokesman said: "We are bemused by these wild and categorically unfounded insinuations, the latest in a string of unprovoked attacks by Mr Vince.

"Greg was asked by both this and the previous Government to help with his experience in technology, entrepreneurship and growth, which he has done voluntarily.

"Mr Vince would do well to use his undoubted ability and influence to sort his own businesses and to make energy cheaper and more secure for the people of Britain, rather than obsessing over petty rivalry and jealousy."

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero described heat pumps as "highly efficient electric appliances". Replacing oil-based home heating systems, they transfer and intensify heat from the outside air or ground into a building.

Charlotte Lee, CEO at the Heat Pump Association, previously said: "Heat pumps capture heat from air, ground or water, which is then passed through a heat exchanger. This is then absorbed by the refrigerant gas, raising the temperature, after which it is moved to a compressor, where pressure is applied to create a higher temperature.

"From here, it passes through another heat exchanger, where energy is transferred to the water that flows through your radiators or underfloor heating and to the water stored in your hot water cylinder."

Octopus Energy says heat pumps are the "low-carbon, super-efficient alternative to a boiler".

• 6 kitchen items banned from recycling bins under new rules

• Petrol and diesel drivers urged to fill up before 10am on Saturday