The government is facing an economic forest fire – with no choice but to spray money at it

Editorial: Boris Johnson faces inevitable, unavoidable financial challenges. Some will mean extra taxation and borrowing, as well as higher charges to consumers – and generally higher inflation

It is usually the more vulnerable in society who tend to be hit hardest (Reuters)

Once they proliferated faster than TikTok videos; but now Britain’s pioneering, sometimes ethical and innovative squad of small energy companies are collapsing at an alarming rate.

Or, at least they would be under the usual rules of market economics, which would have the disastrous effect of leaving their customers without hot water and heating. That, of course, is a degree of neglect that is unthinkable – even under this administration.

Formal and informal “supplier of last resort” arrangements are in place so that the companies might be bust, but the gas remains on tap. If needs be, the government stands ready to lend the surviving gas suppliers the funds to take on stranded customers.