British Gas defended itself by saying that Evans’ increase was due to performance, not corruption. As is always the case in our capitalist societies, those who work the most get paid the least. I doubt that any of the other hard working men and women over at British Gas received a pay raise as generous as 66%. In 1996 the government finally decided to open the gas market to competition. British Gas was under pressure and responded by restructuring into five different businesses to compete. Since the late 90’s the company has demerged several times and extended into various markets.