Energy crisis: UK government will only support firms on brink of closure

Industry leaders say means-tested package is no more than flimsy sticking plaster' for high energy costs

Heavy industry struggling with surging energy costs will only get support if they can prove they have been pushed to the brink of closure, Whitehall sources have said, as industry leaders warned that the package sounded like no more than flimsy sticking plaster".

A senior government source said on Tuesday that any scheme for companies would be means-tested, time-limited and repayable to make sure it only dealt with the most severe cases of those about to stop production or go under entirely.