Centrica, the owner of British Gas, has cancelled Christmas parties for its 21,000 staff while hosting a black-tie event for a select group, sparking union outrage. The company cited difficult decisions and redundancies as reasons for scrapping the £35 per person contribution, despite posting £1.7 billion in operating profit last year.
In a message to staff, chief people officer Jill Shedden said the decision was made “in light of the difficult decisions we are making to improve the efficiency of the organisation – particularly those involving valued colleagues leaving the business.” She urged staff to cancel any bookings and instead find “locally relevant ways to celebrate,” such as sending virtual messages or volunteering.
Meanwhile, on Saturday night, Centrica hosted a black-tie celebration at the Park Plaza hotel in Westminster for what is understood to be sales staff, senior management and partners. The event, described by the company as “not a Christmas party,” took place as more than 200 redundancies are planned at British Gas.
GMB union national secretary Andy Prendergast slammed the move as “breathtaking,” saying: “It’s breathtaking a company like this can hold exclusive black tie events for some, whilst cancelling Christmas for everyone else. With profits in the billions, it’s disgraceful to be cutting hundreds of jobs and cancelling hard earned Christmas dinners.”
Centrica boss Chris O’Shea received £4.3 million in pay and perks last year, down from £8.3 million in 2023. He previously admitted it was “impossible to justify” his bumper pay packet. A Centrica spokesperson defended the decision, saying: “We need to ensure we’re respectful to these colleagues, and we think not having organised Christmas parties at this time is the right thing to do. The event this week is not a Christmas party.”
