巴克莱银行宣布将上半年奖金池增加近30%，从去年的10亿英镑增至13亿英镑[1]。这一决定基于该行二季度取得强劲业绩，税前利润达33亿英镑，同比增长31%[1]。上半年总利润为61亿英镑，较去年同期增长17%[1]。
除增加员工奖金外，巴克莱还计划向股东返还资金，包括10亿英镑的股票回购和8亿英镑的分红[1]。这一系列举措引发了英国工会组织的关注。工会总书记Paul Nowak表示："大银行如巴克莱赚得盆满钵满，而普通工作者和小企业在苦苦挣扎"[1]。工会呼吁增加银行附加税并对银行征税，以此降低能源账单，帮助应对成本危机[1]。
Barclays has expanded its bonus pool by close to 30% to £1.3 billion in the first half of 2024, driven by robust financial performance [1]. The increase reflects second-quarter pre-tax profits of £3.3 billion, representing a 31% year-on-year rise [1]. For the first half overall, the bank reported total profits of £6.1 billion, up 17% compared to the same period last year [1].
Alongside the elevated bonus allocation, Barclays announced £1 billion in share buybacks and £800 million in dividends to shareholders [1]. The strong results have reignited debate over taxation of financial institutions, with trade unions pressing the UK government to take action. Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, said: "Big banks like Barclays are raking it in while ordinary working people and small businesses are struggling" [1]. Union leaders have called for increased bank levies and taxation measures that could help offset rising energy costs for households and businesses [1].