Brussels allows UK to subsidise fossil fuel generators

Green light clears way for payments of 990m to gas, coal and nuclear power firms

The UK's largest fossil fuel generators may be back in line for almost 1bn in backup power subsidies this winter after the European commission approved the UK's flagship energy scheme, which was ruled illegal last year.

A shock European court ruling brought the government's "capacity market" to a standstill last November, triggering an in-depth investigation into whether the UK's plan to pay power plants to stay open was compatible with EU state aid law.