UK energy firms could get state-backed loans to take on customers

Officials look at emergency funding to help large energy firms rescue customers of suppliers that have gone bust

Energy companies willing to rescue the customers of rival suppliers that go bust amid the gas and electricity market crisis could get state-backed loans in a scheme under government consideration.

The Guardian understands that officials are looking at the emergency funding to help the UK's large suppliers pick up potentially millions of unprofitable customers this winter as record prices threaten to decimate the energy market.