HM Treasury has confirmed that the Autumn Budget will be held on 26 November – giving Chancellor Rachel Reeves 84 days to ‘back Scotch, support Scotland, and sustain growth across the UK’.
That was the message from Scotch Whisky Association chief executive Mark Kent, who called on Reeves to fulfil the promise of the Prime Minister to ‘back Scotch producers to the hilt’.
“At her last Budget, the Chancellor chose to increase further the duty burden on an industry already weighed down by excessive tax and regulation,” noted Kent.
“Despite that decision, tax receipts have not gone up; and more UK pubs and restaurants have been forced to close.
“Everyone connected with the hospitality industry knows that pubs, restaurants and other venues cannot survive on beer alone – all rely on spirits for profits,” he said.
“That is why we are calling for the Chancellor to announce a multi-year freeze on spirits duty, spanning the lifetime of this parliament; and to ensure that the tax differential with other alcohol categories, which puts Scotch at a competitive disadvantage, does not widen.”
Kent added that this would give particular respite to the Scottish economy, as 70% of all UK spirits are produced here.
He concluded: “84 days. Back Scotch, support Scotland, and sustain growth across the UK.”
