Hunt mulls extension of energy support to all businesses - report

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt is reportedly considering continuing to help all UK businesses pay their energy bills when the current government support package expires at the end of March.

As it stands, support after the end of March is set to be extended only to the most needy firms.

But Bloomberg cited a person "familiar with his thinking" as saying that Hunt and his team are now looking at extending the principle that all firms should continue to receive help, albeit at a lower level, amid fears businesses will collapse if support is removed. The story was first reported by the Financial Times.

It was understood that officials are also concerned about the complexity of deciding which firms are especially vulnerable and should benefit from more targeted supported.

The Bloomberg source said the proposal is one of many options being worked through by officials and that Hunt will set out what he plans to do this month.