Centrica has a problem
Centrica has a PR problem that won’t be cheap to fix. Employing happy, laughing bailiffs to break into the homes of the poor and disabled to fit pre-payment meters is bad, but then turning in £3 billion in profits just pours oil on the fire.
What to do? It is not as if they earned this money through wise investment and ruthless competition, it is a windfall and they know it.
So, how about volunteering to pay more tax? How about asking the government to place a windfall tax on your profits?
I know, you all think capitalism doesn’t work that way and the bosses will just fill their boots with unearned bonuses and share options but hear me out.
If it is a choice between volunteering now or being forced to kowtow to the Government later, then doing the right thing now makes sense.
It is going to happen anyway so win some PR points by volunteering.
Also your shareholders should thank you for heading off a crisis and not costing them even more in future.
Still, I won’t hold my breath.
Economics, trade and Brexit, not necessarily in that order but the dog always comes first.