Latest news with #RebeccaDibb-Simkin
Daily Record
31-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Octopus Energy ad banned over 'misleading' heat pump cost claim
A spokesperson for the energy group "disagreed" with the ruling that the ad "was likely to mislead" An ad for Octopus Energy has been banned for misleading consumers with claims that they could have a heat pump installed for as little as £500. The Facebook ad, seen in September, said "installs from £500". The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received two complaints, including from the Energy and Utilities Alliance trade body, which challenged whether the "installs from £500" claim could be substantiated. The complaint also questioned whether the ad had left out crucial information. The ad claimed that "the government grant covers up to 90 per cent of the costs of a new heat pump". It added: "Replace your old broken boiler with an award-winning energy supplier and help stop our reliance on gas." Octopus told the ASA that the claim was based on what their customers would pay, rather than the industry average cost of heat pumps. "We disagree with this ruling," Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, chief product and marketing officer at Octopus Energy, said. "Thirteen per cent of all heat pumps sold by Octopus during the campaign were £500 or less, exceeding the ASA's guideline of 10 per cent. "This clearly has the fossil fuel lobby worried, which is why they are relentlessly pressuring the authorities to undermine the clean energy sector." The firm provided sales data from April 2024 to January 2025 that showed 13.9 per cent of consumers who purchased a heat pump through Octopus Energy did in fact pay £500 or less. In those cases, the total cost of installing a heat pump was £8,000, which, when the £7,500 Bus (Boiler Upgrade Scheme) funding was deducted, gave a final cost of £500. Octopus said they targeted the ad at consumers in their installation coverage area, which accounted for around 86 per cent of postcode districts. They referred to a consumer opinion survey they had commissioned from a third party after receiving notification of the complaints from the ASA, to see what people understood from the claim. The survey showed that 58 per cent understood that the cost of having a heat pump installed by Octopus Energy could be as low as £500 with help from government funding. The ASA said advertising regulations required that price claims such as "from" must not exaggerate the availability or amount of benefits likely to be obtained by the consumer. Getting into the fine print, competition and Markets Authority guidance also stated that "from" prices should reflect what a significant proportion of consumers were likely to pay for the advertised product. The ASA said consumers would understand the claim "Installs from £500," in the context of the ad, to mean that a significant proportion of consumers could purchase a heat pump and have it installed by Octopus Energy for £500. However, its assessment of sales data showed that at the time the ad appeared, in September 2024, 5.8 per cent of heat pump sales had been made at or below the price claimed in the ad. In the months after, less than 5.8 per cent of sales made had been at or below the claimed price. For the final two months of 2024, the proportion of heat pumps sold at or below £500 stood between 23 per cent and 24 per cent. The data did not show that a significant proportion of sales, at the time the ad appeared, though, were at the claimed price of £500. "We considered the price did not reflect what a significant proportion of consumers were likely to pay at the time the ad appeared," the ASA said. "We had not seen sufficiently robust evidence that a significant proportion of consumers targeted by the ad could purchase a heat pump and have it installed by Octopus Energy for £500. "We therefore concluded the ad was likely to mislead." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The ASA ruled that the ad must not appear again in the form complained about. "We told Octopus to ensure that suitably robust evidence was held to demonstrate that any claimed 'from' price could be achieved by a significant proportion of consumers," it added. "We said to ensure ads making price claims for heat pump installation included all material information, including clarification of any government grant included in the advertised price, and the existence of eligibility criteria."
Scottish Sun
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Win free kit for your kids' football team courtesy of Octopus Energy in our brilliant competition
Scroll down to find out how to enter SAVE A FEW SQUID Win free kit for your kids' football team courtesy of Octopus Energy in our brilliant competition FANCY getting your kids' footie team kitted out for the new season? The Sun has teamed up with Octopus Energy to offer 100 teams across the UK a FREE set of football strips including shirts, shorts and goalie kits. Advertisement There are 1,000 Octopus-sponsored kits up for grabs and the 100 selected teams will be able to choose from 13 kit options in different colourways. Apply by midnight on July 31 and the kits will be ready for the new season in September. Open to teams serving children aged 16 and below, you just need to enter the code SUNOCTOKIT, tell us your team name, age group and contact details. The energy firm started its Kits For Kids drive last year and gave away 27,000 strips to clubs around the country. Advertisement The costs of kits is one of the biggest outlays for grassroots clubs, with average prices for strips costing £250-£300 in total. After seeing huge demand for its original campaign, Octopus has teamed up with us to offer a special batch of strips just for Sun readers. Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, chief product officer at Octopus Energy, said: 'We've decked out more than 27,000 kids in free Octopus Kits, and we're delighted to extend an exclusive offer to Sun readers with an extra 1,000 strips. 'With opportunities for grassroots teams to win more goodies and awesome prizes, we can't wait to see the next generation of stars dazzle their opponents in their new Octokits.' Advertisement Here we meet some of the teams who benefitted last year. Footie hero backs campaign to give grassroots football teams free kits - here's how to get your freebies SAVING SOULS FC 3 Saving Souls aimed to create a community, combating isolation and helping mental health Credit: Octopus SAVING Souls established a football team for young women and girls in Lewisham, South East London, in 2024 with the aim of creating a community, combating isolation and helping mental health. A Savings Souls men's team launched in 2022 but founder Kerry Phillips, 38, wanted to set up a women's team, too. Advertisement He said: 'Thanks to the Octopus kit we have now been able to realise our dream of establishing a women and girls' team because our funds go much further as the kit costs are covered. 'Before then, our ambitions were limited by resources. 'We chose bright yellow shirts and black shorts because we want women's football to shine bright.' Saving Souls goes beyond football. Advertisement At the end of every session there is a circle where the players can chat and older girls can mentor younger girls. Club captain Nevaeh Phillips said: 'Our new kit really gives us our own identity, separate from the boys' team. 'It's vibrant and unique, and it will help us stand out, attracting more girls and young women.' POOLE TOWN FC WESSEX 3 Poole Town FC Wessex provides football for 400 local children Credit: Octopus Energy Advertisement POOLE Town FC Wessex began in 1989 with just one team. Today they have grown to 29 teams providing football for 400 local children. The club is also linked to the Poole Town Kids Initiative, which provides free football sessions for youngsters across the area. Alex Crabb, coach at Poole Town FC Wessex Under-8s, said: 'Football clubs unite all people from different cultures and backgrounds and bring them together with a shared passion. Advertisement 'By having access to initiatives like this, it's enabled the children to feel proud to be part of a team and learn social and sporting skills.' Austin Smyth, one of the players with the Under-8s, said: 'I love the kit, especially the bright, cool colour of it. 'I've been wearing it to the park, around the house and to school on special days.' ALMONDSBURY UTD FC, GLOUCS 3 Almondsbury United FC has been a powerhouse for youth football Credit: Octopus Energy Advertisement THE Gloucestershire team has been a powerhouse for youth football since it was established in 1969. With more than 300 kids playing each week, plus a men's team, the Under-11s side were the lucky winners of the Octokits. Coach Matthew Jackson, 41, said: 'The free Almondsbury Utd kit is a dream come true. 'The vibrant colour is eye-catching, and the quality is top-notch. Advertisement 'Plus, the iconic club crest adds the perfect finishing touch. 'The kids love it and they all feel like they've won a competition.' Club player Lana-Jane Roberts, 11, said: 'Thank you Octopus Energy for supporting Almondsbury United FC in making us a kit. 'I love how the blue, pink and white looks. Advertisement 'I really feel it makes us look like a professional team. 'Thank you so much for choosing us.'
Scottish Sun
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
EV drivers can get 5,000 miles of FREE charging this summer – and you can apply now
See how you can get the big offer PLUGGED IN EV drivers can get 5,000 miles of FREE charging this summer – and you can apply now Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE UK's biggest energy supplier is launching its first electric vehicle home charger and you can get your hands on it for free. Octopus Energy has designed and built its own EV charger which will provide charging for as little as 2p per mile and new users will get heaps of free charging. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Octopus Energy is giving away thousands of miles to electric vehicles Credit: Alamy Named Octopus Charge and launching in August, new customers who sign up will get a 5,000 free miles bonus. The offer is only available to the first 100 people, so EV drivers will have to be quick to snap up the offer. Combined with Octopus' Drive Pack tariff, customers can get unlimited charging for just £30 a month. The saving don't just end there, because those with Octopus solar panels can power their EVs with any surplus solar electricity. The new EV charger has built-in 4G and a uniquely designed charging cable holster so it can fit snugly in tight spaces. 'Charging at home is already better than queueing up at the petrol station – and now we've made it even simpler," said Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, chief product officer at Octopus Energy. 'Octopus Energy was the first energy company to launch a smart tariff, an EV tariff, an export tariff, and our very own heat pump." She added: "We're delighted to add Octopus Charge to our stable, initially designed to work seamlessly with Intelligent Octopus Go, and with other features to follow shortly.' Octopus Charge will first be exclusively available for customers of Octopus' EV leasing business, Octopus Electric Vehicles, before being launched to all Octopus Energy customers in August. Those interested can register their interest at the Octopus Energy website. New Nissan Leaf tested - it's bigger, better and goes further It's been a big week of announcements from Octopus Energy, who only days ago said it was bringing back its popular Saving Sessions for households. The scheme is a way for customers to earn rewards by reducing their electricity consumption during specific times when the national grid is under pressure. Over the summer, households have a chance to use their washing machine and charge their devices for free if they shift their usage from peak times. Octopus said the free electricity will be available during one-hour slots that will usually be held in the early afternoon. To be eligible for the scheme, you must be an Octoplus member, which is a free rewards program for the smart meter customers.
The Irish Sun
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
EV drivers can get 5,000 miles of FREE charging this summer – and you can apply now
THE UK's biggest energy supplier is launching its first electric vehicle home charger and you can get your hands on it for free. Octopus Energy has designed and built its own EV charger which will provide charging for as little as 2p per mile and new users will get heaps of free charging. 2 Octopus Energy is giving away thousands of miles to electric vehicles Credit: Alamy Named Octopus Charge and launching in August, new customers who sign up will get a 5,000 free miles bonus. The offer is only available to the first 100 people, so EV drivers will have to be quick to snap up the offer. Combined with Octopus' Drive Pack tariff, customers can get unlimited charging for just £30 a month. The saving don't just end there, because those with Octopus solar panels can power their EVs with any surplus solar electricity. electric vehicles The new EV charger has built-in 4G and a uniquely designed charging cable holster so it can fit snugly in tight spaces. 'Charging at home is already better than queueing up at the petrol station – and now we've made it even simpler," said Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, chief product officer at Octopus Energy. 'Octopus Energy was the first energy company to launch a smart tariff, an EV tariff, an export tariff, and our very own heat pump." She added: "We're delighted to add Octopus Charge to our stable, initially designed to work seamlessly with Intelligent Octopus Go, and with other features to follow shortly.' Most read in Motors Octopus Charge will first be exclusively available for customers of Octopus' EV leasing business, Octopus Electric Vehicles , before being launched to all Octopus Energy customers in August. Those interested can register their interest at the Octopus Energy website. New Nissan Leaf tested - it's bigger, better and goes further It's been a big week of announcements from Octopus Energy, who only days ago said it was bringing back its popular Saving Sessions for households. The scheme is a way for customers to earn rewards by reducing their electricity consumption during specific times when the national grid is under pressure. Everything you need to know about electric cars How long does it take to How much does it Will Are electric cars How do Do How long do Check out all of our latest electric car news here Over the summer, households have a chance to use their washing machine and charge their devices for free if they shift their usage from peak times. Octopus said the free electricity will be available during one-hour slots that will usually be held in the early afternoon. To be eligible for the scheme, you must be an Octoplus member, which is a free rewards program for the smart meter customers. 2 The offer is only available to the first 100 customers Credit: Alamy
Scottish Sun
15-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
UK's biggest energy supplier is paying customers to use less electricity again from this week
Read below to learn about more energy saving schemes CASH IN UK's biggest energy supplier is paying customers to use less electricity again from this week Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE UK's biggest energy supplier is paying customers to use less electricity again from this week. Octopus Energy is bringing back its popular Saving Sessions for customers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Octopus Energy is bringing back its saving sessions for customers across the UK Credit: EPA The scheme is a way for customers to earn rewards by reducing their electricity consumption during specific times when the national grid is under pressure. Over the summer, households have a chance to use their washing machine and charge their devices for free if they shift their usage from peak times. Octopus said the free electricity will be available during one hour slots that will usually be held in the early afternoon. To be eligible for the scheme, you must be an Octoplus member, which is a free rewards program for the smart meter customers. The energy supplier said nearly one million eligible customers from last year have been automatically opted in. New customers can sign up via the Octopus Energy app or online Households will get a notification the day before a Saving Session letting them know the event is about to start. Octopus will use historical smart meter readings to work out a customer's typical energy use at that time of day. If the session is on a weekday, the calculation will look at half-hourly usage over the last 10 weekdays. Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now If the session is at the weekend, then it will look at half-hourly usage over the last four weekend days. The figure is then used as a baseline - any power used above that baseline will be free. Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, chief product officer at Octopus said: 'Calling all spenders and savers, grab your kettles and get those toasters ready cause we're bringing back 'Saving Sessions'. "This time, we're chuffed to offer even more fun, flair and fabulous prizes." Customers also have a chance to win prizes if certain targets are met, including a pink octopus toy and an electric car. This isn't the first time Octopus Energy has introduced innovative schemes to help its customers save money while supporting the energy grid. Last year, the company launched 'free electricity sessions' during periods of negative wholesale prices. ENERGY SAVING SCHEMES ScottishPower offers half-price electricity at weekends to its smart meter customers on both Saturday and Sunday. Those registered for Power Saver will receive the discounted rate every Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 4pm. Scottish Power will then credit your bill with money you've saved. To join the scheme you will need to have a smart meter and then register for the scheme online. You can register online by visiting / For every month a customer's peak energy usage is less than 15% they are entered into a prize draw. Five customers win the top prize of £2,000 worth of energy to use over one year, with 200 winning £50 prizes and 22,850 receiving £2 of free energy. Meanwhile, British Gas offers half-price electricity through its PeakSave scheme on Sundays between 11am-4pm. The scheme rewards customers for shifting their electricity usage to times when there's less demand. To sign up customers need to be a British Gas customers, have a smart meter and then register online for the PeakSave scheme. 4 ways to keep your energy bills low Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips. 1. Turn your heating down by one degree You probably won't even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70. 2. Switch appliances and lights off It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills 3. Install a smart meter Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used. 4. Consider switching energy supplier No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you've let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven't browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
