Ed Miliband’s drive towards making the UK net zero by 2030 may kill off fish and chip shops across the country, the industry’s trade association has warned.
The head of The National Federation of Fish Fryers (NFFF) has voiced concerns that the transition to green energy risks exacerbating costs for chippies already struggling after ‘years of continued tax pressures’.
Andrew Crook told The Telegraph that 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.’
The NFFF has previously warned that a third of fish and chip shops they represent could go out of business amid record price rises for fish, batter, fat, wrapping paper and energy.
A typical portion of fish and chips rose to nearly £10 last year, marking a 52% rise in prices since 2019 – when the average was a measly £6.48.
Mr Crook runs the Skippers of Euxton chip shop in Chorley, which he says in reliant on gas and could not be powered by green infrastructure alone.
He is urging for a ‘common sense’ approach from Government, claiming it doesn’t ‘understand’ the industry and its specific nuances.
The businessman met with Gareth Thomas, the Minister for Small Business and Hospitality, on Tuesday ahead of the Chancellor’s spring statement today.
Mr Crook is one of several hospitality leaders from over 20 industry associations calling for immediate intervention ‘to prevent further economic decline and business closures.’
In a letter sent to Rachel Reeves, they urged her to reduce VAT for the hospitality, events, and cultural sectors to 15% alongside the reversal of the recent national insurance contribution increase.
The associations claimed that without this support, many business could be forced to close, with costs expected to increases by up to £100,000 from April.
Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, told The Telegraph that Labour’s was ‘condemning’ seaside revellers to ‘soggy fish and chips’.
Greg Smith, a shadow business minister, added the possible extinction of fish and chip shops in the UK was ‘another example of the damage net zero zealotry does’.
A spokesman for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: ‘Our mission is for clean power by 2030 because clean, home-grown energy is the best way to protect bill-payers and boost Britain’s energy independence.
‘This will support every local business on the high street, including fish and chip shops, to access clean, affordable power.
‘We will also reform business rates to level the playing field on our high streets, recognising small local businesses providing takeaway and home delivery are the thriving hubs of prosperous, vibrant British communities.’
Mr Miliband’s bid to make Britain a ‘clean energy superpower’ by 2030 is at the centre of the Government’s agenda and seen as central to the goal of decarbonising all sectors of the economy by 2050.
The Climate Change Committee estimates that hitting the goal will cost the UK one to two per cent of GDP per year. By 2050, the annual cost could be £50billion.
Mr Miliband has insisted that making Britain a ‘clean energy superpower’ would bring down energy bills in the future.
That is despite regulator Ofgem announcing last month that the energy price cap will rise from £1,738 a year to £1,849 – 6.4 per cent – following a spike in wholesale prices.
The third consecutive rise will equate to £111 for an average household per year, or around £9.25 a month. It brings the average total rise in energy bills since Labour took power to £281.