The Governments loan to Bulb Energy means that every customer is being supported by the taxpayer to the tune of about £1,000.00 and a new plan to support small energy companies needs to be implemented, say leading tax and advisory firm Blick Rothenberg

Simon Rothenberg a director at the firm said: “Energy companies have struggled in the last few months due to significant increases in the cost of energy which, due to the price cap, they cannot pass on to their customers. This has meant that most of the smaller providers, and now the 7th largest, have been unable to continue trading.

He added: “The Government needs to consider setting up a special business loan scheme for small providers or a resetting the price cap for a limited period or more energy businesses will fail. A special loan scheme would be preferable to leaving things to the last minute and then having to run a business through special administration.

Simon said: “If the Government does not intervene, the energy market will be back to the big six providers only and consumers will not have the flexibility that they have enjoyed up until now.

He added: This morning’s news that the Government has loaned £1.7bn to Bulb, is a sign that there are structural issues with the energy market. While this is a loan, it is highly unlikely to be repaid in the near term.

“If none of the ‘big six’ energy companies could take on bulb’s customer base on a profitable basis, which is presumably why the special administration route was chosen, then the Government’s price cap, introduced to protect customers, and the desire for choice seem doomed.”