Speaking after the prime minister gave his speech at his party conference, Julia Lo Bue-Said criticised “the government’s real lack of understanding” about the industry’s situation going into the winter.

“We have all been operating in a tidal wave with a tsunami about to hit.”

She said members had calculated they could survive for a limited period. “We all looked at it and said four, six months is fine; eight months at a push.

“The next stage for us is trying to support members through the mental health crisis that is upon us.”

Lo Bue-Said said nothing in Johnson’s speech had reassured her, with the headline announcement appearing to be about wind turbines.

Lo Bue-Said, who was taking part in Elman Wall’s Covid-19 update, said she was “all in favour” of eco initiatives, but added: “I have got members who can’t put food on the table. I’m struggling to get excited about wind power.”