Boris Johnson had earlier revealed details of a £23 million support package for seafood businesses hit by Brexit, shortly after angry Scottish shellfish exporters drove lorries to the steps of Downing Street in protest.

Under the deal agreed with Brussels, British trade with the EU is tariff-free, but fish exporters are now suffering due to a series of new document demands.

The fund will be aimed at helping fishing exporters who can evidence a genuine loss in exporting fish and shellfish to the EU, The Scotsman reports.

Support of up to £100,000 will be immediately available for losses incurred since 1 January 2021.

David Duguid, UK government minister for Scotland, said: “This funding announcement is the latest step in the UK Government’s continued engagement with the senior representatives of the industry to identify specific problems and to apply rapid solutions.

“Those conversations are, of course, aimed at addressing immediate concerns, and at finding longer-term, sustainable solutions to the challenges that the industry faces.

“Working with Scottish seafood business leaders, we want to get the best out of our exit from the Common Fisheries Policy and the opportunities that presents, as well as maximising the investment package delivered by the UK government.”

The UK Government will now consult the fishing industry and work with the devolved administrations to establish eligibility criteria.

Fergus Ewing, rural economy and tourism secretary, said no “substantive discussions” and claimed he had repeatedly urged the UK Government to do more.

He said: “No substantive discussion on a compensation scheme for Scottish fishing communities took place and the it’s simply unacceptable for the UK Government to launch such a scheme without contacting the Scottish Government.

“The deal reached with the EU demonstrated the UK Governments profound lack of knowledge of, or concern for, Scottish seafood interests.”