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Centrica Axes Staff Christmas Party Funding as Invite-Only Black-Tie Gala Prompts Backlash

The company cites efficiency goals tied to management reductions, rejecting claims the Westminster gala was a Christmas party.

Overview

  • Centrica told its 21,000 employees it will not provide the usual £35-per-person contribution for Christmas celebrations this year.
  • Staff were urged to consider low-cost alternatives such as local recognition, virtual messages of appreciation or volunteering.
  • Two days earlier, an invitation-only black-tie event at the Park Plaza Westminster hosted several hundred senior managers, sales staff and partners.
  • GMB union national secretary Andy Prendergast condemned the contrast as workers face more than 200 planned redundancies at British Gas.
  • Centrica reported about £1.7 billion in 2024 operating profit, including £427 million from British Gas, and CEO Chris O’Shea received £4.3 million in pay and perks last year.