Reviled banking executives received a total pay rise of a third last year, gaining bonuses worth nearly four times their yearly salary.

The figures prompted disgust from unions yesterday which were aghast at the brazenness in the face of rising levels of inequality.

Figures from the European Banking Authority revealed Britain employs more than three-quarters of the EU's highest-earning bankers, with 2,714 earning more than €1 million (£833,000) in 2012.