The boss of Britain’s energy watchdog has given himself a £15,000 bonus. Dermot Nolan, who earns £190,000-per-year as chief executive of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), is one of three senior civil servants in the department to net a £15,000 payout as part of a wider £1million bonus scheme, according to Dailymail.

It comes as research has shown millions of customers on the most expensive energy tariffs are suffering some of the worst service from their providers.

Ofgem was set up by the then Labour Government in 2000 to regulate the gas and energy industry, protect consumers and promote competition.

According to The Sun, its staff bonus fund went up to £921,000 last year, a sharp increase from £664,000 in 2010, with 679 people qualifying for extra cash.