Labour to pay energy quango bosses £1,000 PER DAY in what critics slam as 'scandalous'

Ed Miliband's Energy quango is actively looking for three new Non-Executive Directors and is offering a “mind-blowing” £270,000 over three years, a move described as “scandalous” by critics.

The successful applicants, who would serve in a non-executive capacity for Great British Energy (GBE), which is sponsored by the Department for Energy Security & Net-Zero, would earn £1,000 per day each for working three days per week.

The total remuneration would amount to £30,000 a year each, almost what the average worker in the UK earns which is £39,000.

Responding to the job advert, Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho, said: “GB Energy has a Chief Executive on a plum six figure salary, and huge salaries for Non-Executive Directors to achieve what? Nobody knows.

“Ed promised it would lead to a mind-blowing reduction in bills and create 650,000 jobs and yet all it has done is put solar panels on a handful of schools, something the Government did before without these mega bucks' salaries.”

Ms Coutinho fumed: “It’s a scandalous waste of money at a time when the country is struggling."

Reform UK Deputy Leader, Richard Tice, also slated the Government for “continuing to waste taxpayers' money” as he voiced concerns as to why the government has become “tone deaf” to the cost-of-living crisis.

He told GB News: “It is outrageous that the Government is paying £1,000 a day for three non-executive directors at Great British Energy while families struggle to pay their bills.

“At a time of high taxes and a cost-of-living crisis, this kind of spending is completely tone deaf.

"Their Net stupid Zero agenda is already driving up household costs, yet they continue to waste taxpayers’ money on expensive roles.”

Great British Energy (GBE), sponsored by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, was formed in May 2025 and has promised to provide cleaner and more secure energy for Britain.

The newly formed quango has made bold promises to rebuild Britain’s industrial heartlands, provide high-quality well-paid jobs and supporting growth.

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Responding to the findings, William Yarwood, Campaigns Director of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: “At a time when working families are dreading their next energy bill, it is frankly insulting to see Great British Energy handing out £1,000-a-day taxpayer-funded gigs to boardroom bureaucrats.”

“We were promised this scheme would lower bills, but instead, taxpayers are being squeezed dry to bankroll another bloated government quango.”

Mr Yarwood explained: “Ministers need to pull the plug on these exorbitant quangocrat day rates immediately."

The energy price cap for quarter two (April – June) has now been set by the regulator Ofgem at £1,641 for the average customer, something a new appointee could pay with just days in the role.

Cornwall Insight says the cap is changed for customers on a quarterly basis, factoring in the wholesale cost of energy and the non-wholesale costs.

A Great British Energy Spokesman said: “Great British Energy is focused on driving the clean energy transition which will deliver a more secure and independent energy system for the UK.

"Non-executive Directors play an important part in providing independent oversight, specialist expertise and effective management across public bodies."