Energy bills bailout for businesses unlikely before November but will be ‘backdated’

Officials are struggling to get scheme up and running next month, to the alarm of bosses

A promised bailout for businesses from rocketing energy bills is unlikely to be ready until November, No 10 has admitted – but the help will then be backdated to October.

Downing Street confirmed that officials are struggling to get the scheme, to deliver “equivalent” help to that offered to households, up and running next month.

But the prime minister’s spokesperson said: “We will provide the support to cover their October bills and that support will be backdated as required.”