British Gas’s retail unit has reported a big increase in profits despite a squeeze on the energy sector which has put many of its rivals out of business. Parent company Centrica said British Gas Energy has seen a 44 percent jump in adjusted operating profit, which reached £118 million in 2021. The business said it was helped by households using more gas in the first six months of the year due to unusually cold weather. The unseasonably warm weather in the last three months of the year also allowed it to sell gas and electricity it had bought in advance, cashing in on high energy costs. Centrica said it plans to pay back the £27 million that it claimed from the Government to furlough its staff. Chief executive Chris O’Shea has also agreed to waive his £1.1 million bonus. His regular salary is £775,000. His decision came as gas and …