As British Gas leaves millions in fuel poverty with a 35% price rise, its millionaire boss says in email: I'M NOT SORRY; EXCLUSIVE.Byline: BY ANDREW GREGORY MILLIONAIRE Centrica boss Sam Laidlaw has said he has no need to apologise v. 1. same as apologize. Verb 1. apologise - defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success" for his firm's bumper profits. The energy giant revealed profits of pounds 1billion just a day after its British Gas British Gas is the name of several companies
Critics say the cash should be used to help the millions of people, mainly pensioners, who will struggle to heat their homes this winter. But in an email to staff, Mr Laidlaw said: "Our operating profit Operating profit (or loss) Revenue from a firm's regular activities less costs and expenses and before income deductions. operating profit See operating income. was just over pounds 992million for January to June 2008. Well, I am not about to apologise for making a healthy profit." The Old Etonian, who earns more than pounds 5,100 a day, added: "We are going to be featured at the top of every news programme and I dare say it will be critical. "People will question why prices are going up when we are still in profit." The firm publicly blamed "soaring wholesale energy costs" for the rises which will add pounds 263 a year to the average fuel bill. But the married dad-of-four, who lives in Kensington, West London West London is the area of Greater London to the west of Central London. Although it is only ambiguously defined, it is one of the most economically active areas of London outside of the centre, containing significant amounts of office space along with Heathrow Airport and many of , told staff they should tell friends and family who "took them to task over the price rises" about the huge taxes swiped off their profits. The firm, which supplies 16 million people, said 340,000 customers on its Essentials tariffs will have rises delayed till April. But he told staff though he wanted to help the vulnerable "the first call on our cash is investment to secure gas and power for the future". Age Concern said: "Firms say they can't absorb wholesale rises but in the light of their profits this sounds hollow to a third of pensioners in fuel poverty." Mr Laidlaw, who also announced a pounds 144million shares dividend, admitted "building a business that can reward shareholders" was the firm's "driving force". Tony Woodley Tony Woodley (born Wirral 2 January 1948) is a British Trade Union leader who came to prominence in June 2003 when he was elected to succeed Bill Morris as General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G). of union Unite said: "It is obscene Offensive to recognized standards of decency. The term obscene is applied to written, verbal, or visual works or conduct that treat sex in an objectionable or lewd or lascivious manner. shareholders should get a boost while consumers face unaffordable un·af·ford·a·ble adj. Too expensive: medical care that has become unaffordable for many. un price rises." pounds 1.87m Laidlaw's earnings in 2007, made up of a salary of pounds 873k, a bonus of pounds 753k, pounds 180k additional payments, and pounds 64k benefits |
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