THE boss of British Gas has landed a £3.7million pay boost — only weeks after a pre-payment meter scandal and as families struggle to pay bills.
Chris O’Shea, who runs the energy giant’s owner Centrica, got the bumper award after profits boomed to £3.3billion.
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Centrica’s record takings have been swelled by huge increases in oil and gas prices since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.
The chief executive, who has refused bonuses for the past three years, accepted an annual bonus of £1.4million and long-term shares of £2.3million on top of his £790,000 annual salary.
Mr O’Shea’s huge pay day angered energy campaigners.
Simon Francis, of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “The bonuses of the few in the energy industry are built on the suffering of the many.” He also urged bosses to “examine your conscience”.
Mr O’Shea apologised after a Times investigation found British Gas debt collectors were breaking into vulnerable customers’ homes to forcibly install pre-payment meters.
Centrica’s pay committee said yesterday he had justified his bonus having met “targets for the year in full”.
