The Governor of the Bank of England called on banks to defer bonuses yesterday after Barclays was criticised for raising payouts despite falling profits.

Mark Carney declined to comment on individual banks, but said: "We think with compensation of bankers that a substantial proportion and an increasing proportion as they become more senior, as they take more risk, should be held back.

"You can call it a bonus, but we actually look at it a little differently. It should be held back, it should be deferred."