BT Group, the UK's largest telecommunications company, has revealed that its boss, Allison Kirkby, saw her pay double to £5.6m in the year to 31 March. This comes as the company has cut thousands of jobs in recent months, sparking outrage among workers and politicians. According to the company's annual report, Kirkby was paid a £1.1m salary for the year, plus a £1m cash bonus and £3.25m in long-term share awards.
The job cuts have been widespread, with thousands of staff losing their roles across the UK. The company has cited the need to reduce costs and invest in new technologies as the reason for the cuts. However, the move has been widely criticized, with many arguing that it is unfair to reward executives with large pay increases while cutting jobs.
BT has been under pressure in recent years, struggling to compete with other telecommunications companies and facing criticism for its handling of major projects. The company has been forced to invest heavily in new technologies, including 5G and fibre broadband, in order to stay competitive.
The UK government has been criticized for its handling of the situation, with many arguing that it should take action to protect workers and prevent large companies from making mass job cuts.
The Foreign Office has advised British nationals to exercise caution when travelling to countries with high levels of unemployment and economic instability, as these countries may be more vulnerable to the impact of job cuts.
BT has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.