Cold comfort
ANYONE with a strong memory can recall Cedric Brown, the man who was lambasted as a "fat cat" in the 1990s after taking a massive pay rise while running the newly-privatised British Gas. That case, and the outrage it generated, should prompt all those occupying warm seats in the boardrooms of energy suppliers today to pause for thought.
Generating vast profits after raising prices is unattractive at the best of times. To do so when Britain has only just emerged from its longest and deepest post-war recession is distinctly unfair. Major companies including Scottish & Southern, Scottish Power and, of course, British Gas, stand accused of exploiting their status as suppliers of essential heating and lighting.
They should beware. The furore over bankers' bonuses showed that corporate reputations can be shredded in moments. We live in austere times and, in an age of consumer activism, Britons will protest loudly and at length if they feel they are being treated badly. Ordinary people accept businesses have to make a profit; what they won't tolerate is greed.