UK business minister tells banks not to blame small companies for Carillion's collapse

LONDON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Britain's business minister Greg Clark told banks on Wednesday that it is important they do not blame small businesses for failed construction company Carillion's collapse, the prime minister's spokesman said.

Britain's banks are offering overdraft extensions and other emergency measures to help firms hit by the collapse.

(Reporting By William James. Writing by Andrew MacAskill; editing by Stephen Addison)