The SNP has urged the UK government to commit to ruling out any
further duty increase on Scottish whisky, and instead invest and
protect the long-term future of the industry.
It comes following reports the UK
Treasury will hit the Scottish whisky industry with a 15% duty
rise, costing around £100M in 2023/24.
The decision would contradict the Conservatives 2019 manifesto
commitment, which pledged to “ensure our tax system is supporting
Scottish whisky and gin producers and protecting 42,000 jobs
supported by Scotch across the UK”.
Scottish whisky is the world’s number one internationally
traded spirit, with exports reaching £6.2B in 2022 – accounting
for 25% of all UK food and drink exports, 77% of Scottish food
and drink exports, and supporting more than 10,000 jobs in
Scotland.
Commenting, the SNP’s Business and Trade spokesperson, said:
“Once again, we are witnessing Scotland’s fantastic whisky
industry being disproportionally impacted by a UK government we
did not vote for.
“The UK government continues to squeeze the life out of the
Scottish whisky industry - an industry that plays a pivotal role
in Scotland’s economy.
"They are only just coming to terms with the 10.1% duty increase
from the Spring Budget. Increasing it to 15% will rightly
infuriate the sector further.
“As the world’s biggest international traded spirit, the UK
government should, instead, be focusing on investing and
protecting the long-term future of the Scottish whisky industry.
“For too long, the UK Treasury has reaped the rewards of
Scotland’s whisky sector.
“Only with the powers of independence can we harness the full
potential of this industry, and fully support our wonderful
communities who deliver huge sums of money for Scotland’s
economy.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
In the Queen’s Speech following the 2019 General Election, the UK
government announced the review and promised to “review
alcohol duty to ensure our tax system is supporting Scottish
whisky and gin producers and protecting 42,000 jobs supported by
Scotch across the UK.” Page 122 of this document.
https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/insights/international-trade/
https://www.sdi.co.uk/buy-from-scotland/consumer-industries/foodservice-food-and-drink-companies?utm_campaign=scin_trade&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=scin_trade&utm_content=scin_trade_foodanddrink
https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/insights/facts-figures/
