Power boss's 25pc pay rise as bills soar

The Mail on Sunday 

Jun 19, 2005

THE boss of ScottishPower has pocketed a 25 per cent pay rise despite soaring electricity bills and customer complaints against his company.

Chief executive Ian Russell saw his annual pay and bonuses rise from GBP1.1 million to GBP1.38 million. His pension pot also shot up from GBP2.64 million to GBP3.39 million.

The hike will infuriate Scottish-Power customers, whose bills have increased by up to 15 per cent at the same time as complaints against the utility have soared by 38 per cent.

It revealed his basic salary rose to GBP705,000. On top of this he received a bonus of GBP627,500 and benefits worth GBP47,600.

The total package was worth GBP1.38 million - up GBP280,000 on the previous year.

Graham Kerr, Scottish spokesman for consumer group Energywatch, said: 'It's about time ScottishPower consumers did well too.'