The PM is to pledge ￡160million to encourage private-sector investment in the offshore wind industry. Officials say floating wind can be stationed further out at sea, where gusts are strongest, than those at fixed sites.

       Areas off the Scottish and Welsh coasts have been located for the scheme which, it is claimed, could create thousands of jobs in the former industrial heartlands.

       Ministers have agreed the funding to support a target in the Prime Minister's 10-point green energy plan to deliver 1GW of energy through floating offshore wind by 2030.

       Mr Johnson will confirm the plan in Rome, ahead of the COP26 United Nations climate summit which starts in Glasgow on Monday.

       Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: "This investment will help to attract further private sector backing to boost our industrial heartlands."

       The cash will come from the ￡1.4billion Global Britain Investment Fund.