CURRY houses may be wiped out by Ed Miliband’s dash to Net Zero, bosses have warned.
They say the Energy Secretary’s push for “clean” electricity could see them unable to replace traditional gas-fuelled tandoori ovens.
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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.”
The UK has more than 12,000 curry restaurants, employing over 100,000 people and contributing £4.5billion annually to the economy.
With the hospitality sector struggling, replacing gas tandoor ovens and hobs would cost each business tens of thousands.
And chefs say dishes would not taste as good.
Chicken tikka masala – said to have originated in Glasgow – has previously been voted the nation’s favourite dish.
Mr. Ruhul Hussain, the owner of Indian Lounge in Sir Keir Starmer’s North London constituency, warned his business is “struggling more than ever”.
He said: “Ed Miliband’s net zero policy will destroy many curry houses across the country.
“We are a third-generation family-run business, proudly serving our community for decades.”
He explained that the rising costs of wages, national insurance contributions, and energy bills are crippling small businesses like his, adding: “Our running costs have nearly tripled since the current government came to power.
“This is unsustainable.”
Indian mains have risen 29 per cent in cost since 2019, with kebabs up by 44 per cent.
A restaurant industry source said: “The Government has been crystal clear about moving from fossil fuels and on to electrification.
“But many of us simply can’t afford it.”
Tory Shadow Energy Secretary Andrew Bowie told The Sun: Andrew Bowie MP, Acting Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, said: “Curry houses across the country are crying out.
“But Red Ed only seems hungry to curry favour with the members of his eco-cult.
“We already knew the mad dash to net zero by 2050 would raise bills, weaken national security, and undermine our energy resilience – but this is recipe for disaster.
“Red Ed is the Balti Bandit, the Korma Killer, presiding over a Chicken Tikka Massala Meltdown of the great British curry house.”
Reform Deputy Leader Richard Tice added: “Ed Miliband will stop at nothing in his crusade to impose Net Zero lunacy on the UK.
“This is yet another example of why this disastrous policy is completely unworkable.
“It will only serve to close businesses, drive up bills, and massacre the little that’s left of industry in the UK.”
A Government spokesman said: “Curry houses can continue to use clay ovens under our plans.”
