‘Soggy Poppadoms’ Vs ‘Fine Tandoori’: UK MPs Debate India-UK FTA, Express Concerns Over Jobs

Last Updated:February 11, 2026, 09:10 IST

UK MPs debated the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, with Andrew Griffith dubbing it "soggy poppadoms" and Chris Bryant defending its economic impact, citing support from HSBC and EY.

A lively debate unfolded in the House of Commons this week as UK MPs sparred over the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), seasoning their arguments with culinary metaphors while discussing the details of the deal.

Trade Secretary Andrew Griffith led the criticism, taking aim at what he described as the agreement’s shortcomings, particularly its limited provisions for UK services. He dubbed the deal as “a bag of soggy poppadoms," for the UK.

“British businesses needed something with a really good kick in it to get this country growing. Instead of a vindaloo of a deal, the Prime Minister came back with a bag of soggy poppadoms," he said.

Griffith also raised concerns about the absence of stronger support for sectors such as legal services.

Some MPs further questioned provisions allowing Indian workers and their employers to avoid paying Insurance contributions in the UK for up to three years. They also expressed concerns over the delay of five to 10 years before tariff reductions benefit British goods exporters, and the lack of a bilateral investment treaty.

Conservative MP Katie Lam warned, “We have already seen this model take hold in the United States. There, Indian consultancy firms lease their workers to American companies, who are then able to pay an Indian worker far less than they would need to pay an American."

‘Most Economically Significant Bilateral FTA’: UK Trade Minister Defends Deal

Defending the agreement, Trade Minister Chris Bryant argued that the deal represents a major economic milestone for post-Brexit Britain. Citing a Select Committee report, he said, “The UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is the UK’s most economically significant bilateral free trade agreement since leaving the European Union."

Bryant rejected claims that the services sector had been sidelined, noting strong backing from leading business groups. “On services, the way we transacted this deal means it is supported by the Federation of Small Businesses, HSBC, Standard Chartered, EY, TheCityUK and Revolut, and I do not think they think of the deal as “soggy poppadoms" at all; I think they think of it as a fine tandoori," he said.

He added that the agreement is projected to increase UK GDP by £ 4.8 billion (0.13 per cent), raise wages by £ 2.2 billion, and boost bilateral trade by £ 25.5 billion annually by 2040. India will cut tariffs on 90 per cent of tariff lines, reducing average duties from 15 per cent to 3 per cent, generating immediate annual savings of £ 400 million for UK exporters, he added.

Labour MP Douglas McAllister called it a “truly historic and groundbreaking deal for the UK, for Scotland and for my West Dunbartonshire constituency," highlighting India’s rapid economic growth and strategic importance in an uncertain global climate.

News world ‘Soggy Poppadoms’ Vs ‘Fine Tandoori’: UK MPs Debate India-UK FTA, Express Concerns Over Jobs

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