Calls for a duty freeze for whisky in the Autumn Budget

The Scottish Whisky Association claims revenue from scotch could fall if the tax burden on whisky continues to increase.

Revenue from spirits duty has increased by £114 million year-on-year, and the organisation thinks more competitive rate on duty rate on Scotch Whisky then government revenue could increase.

Graham Littlejohn from the SWA tells us: 'There were 1.9 million visits to Scottish whisky distilleries last year and many of these visitors came from France. Which is the largest Scotch WHisky market by volume.

'Many of these visitors are surprised by the tax levels in the Uk, in fact, they can buy cheaper back home in France than they can at a distillery.'

Karen Betts, CEO at the SWA, said: 'As Scotland’s largest manufactured export, supporting more than 40,000 jobs – 7,000 of which are located in rural Scotland – it’s imperative that the government ensures that the right conditions are in place for distilleries to invest and capitalise on the growing popularity of Scotch right across the globe.

'With £3 in every £4 of a bottle of Scotch being collected in duty and VAT, Scotland’s national drink is already one of the highest taxed consumer goods in the UK – more than any other alcoholic product.

'That is why we are asking the Chancellor to signal his support for our national drink by delivering an excise freeze in the Autumn Budget to help encourage investment within Scotland and help make Scotch more competitive on the domestic playing field.'