Ed Miliband’s Net Zero militancy could lead to a total wipeout of traditional curry houses in Britain, bosses have warned.
The Energy Secretary’s push for ‘clean’ electricity has raised fears gas-fuelled tandoori ovens are on a path to extinction.
Currently, the UK is home to more than 12,000 curry restaurants which employ over 100,000 people and contribute £4.5billion annually to the economy.
But Oli Khan MBE, President of the Bangladeshi Caterers Association, told The Sun: ‘Net Zero could sign a death warrant for the Great British curry industry.
‘The reality is the UK’s thousands of curry houses are simply not able to move away from some form of gas and compelling them to do so would force them out of business.’
Forcing businesses to replace their traditional ovens would cost each one tens of thousands of pounds, adding insult to an already-struggling sector. There are also fears – raised by chefs – that dishes will not taste as good.
Curry recipes have been printed in Britain since 1747 and the first curry house opened in London in 1810.
Chicken tikka masala has its origins widely attributed to South Asian cooks in the UK and is served today in many restaurants around the world.
Brick Lane, in east London (pictured) is home to the largest Bengali community outside of Bangladesh and around 20 curry houses now compared to more than 70 in the 1970s
Chicken tikka masala (pictured) has its origins widely attributed to South Asian cooks in the UK and is served today in many restaurants around the world
The Energy Secretary’s (pictured) push for ‘clean’ electricity has raised fears the gas-fuelled tandoori ovens are on a path to extinction
But Indian mains have risen 20 per cent in cost since 2019 and curry houses have recently been plagued by labour shortages due to established South Asian immigrants moving into other occupations.
Mr Ruhul Hussain, owner of Indian Lounge in Sir Keir Starmer’s north London constituency told The Sun his business is ‘struggling more than ever’, adding Mr Miliband’s Net Zero agenda would ‘destroy many curry houses across the country’.
The third-generation family-run business boss added national insurance contributions rising and increased energy bills were adding to the financial woes.
Conservative Shadow Energy Secretary Andrew Bowie and Reform Deputy Leader Richard Tice are among the MPs to have spoken out against the agenda.
Mr Bowie said the ‘mad dash to Net Zero by 2050’ was a ‘recipe for disaster’ while Mr Tice added the policy would only serve to ‘close businesses’ and ‘massacre the little that’s left of industry in the UK’.
The Government said: ‘Curry houses can continue to use clay ovens under our plans.’
Earlier this year, bosses warned Mr Miliband’s Net Zero drive may also kill off fish and chip shops across the country.
The head of The National Federation of Fish Fryers (NFFF) voiced concerns the transition to green energy risked exacerbated costs for chippies already struggling after ‘years of continued tax pressures’.
Earlier this year, bosses warned Mr Miliband’s Net Zero drive may kill off fish and chip shops across the country (file image)
Andrew Crook told The Telegraph gas is the ‘most effective way to fry’ and claimed full electrification of appliances in ‘not feasible or affordable.’
He urged the Government to ‘take care to not further undermine’ fish and chip businesses that are often ‘at the heart’ of local communities.
‘They’ve got to realise there’s a lot of small businesses out there that are often the first place people start working,’ Mr Cook added.
‘It’s about time the Government recognises that and supports us, because if they don’t we’re going to see a lot of small businesses – after five tough years – decide they’ve had enough.’
