THE GREAT BRITISH RAKE-OFF
THE boss of British Gas parent company Centrica raked in £4.1million in pay and perks after receiving a bumper rise of almost 40 per cent.
Iain Conn’s package last year was described as a “kick in the teeth” for millions of families living in fuel poverty.
The obscene earnings, bonuses and perks are equivalent to the annual energy bills of nearly 4000 British Gas customers.
Emma Hughes, of campaign group Switched On, said: “These ridiculous pay packets are the real reason for extortionate energy bills that leave families struggling to heat their homes.
“Enough of these rip-off merchants.”
Labour’s shadow energy secretary Rebecca LongBailey added: “Over four million people are living in fuel poverty across Britain so the announcement of astronomical pay increases for certain energy company CEOs must feel like a kick in the teeth to those families who will sit shivering tonight because they cannot afford to put on the heating.”
Conn received a £925,000 basic salary last year, while the firm pumped £277,000 into his pension. He also got a string of bonuses.
The boss has pocketed more than £7million in his first two years in charge of Centrica.
Lesley Knox, chairman of Centrica’s remuneration committee, said: “The awards were a critical part of securing his employment in the face of significant competition for his services.”