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Whisky trade under threat

Published:  22 April, 2009

One of the country's most valuable export industries, Scotch whisky, has said the 2% rise in spirits duty will damage trade further.

 Following duty rises of over 13.5% in 2008, The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) described the duty rise as 'a blow to the industry that comes at the worst possible time'.  The Budget will add 14p to the price of a bottle of Scotch whisky. 

 
Chief executive Gavin Hewitt said: "A duty increase during a recession is a real blow and follows last year's duty rises on Scotch, the largest since the 1970s. The Government should be supporting all UK businesses, including Scotch Whisky distillers, who have the potential to help drive the economy out of recession.  Instead, our industry is being weakened by the alcohol duty escalator. 

"At a time when the Chancellor is looking for additional revenue, we believe that an increase in excise duty will be counterproductive.  As this represents a 5% increase in real terms, the Treasury is likely to see lower receipts as the duty rise aggravates already tough market conditions in the UK, the industry's third largest market, and weak consumer confidence. The duty rise also sets an unwelcome precedent for other governments around the world who are also seeking to raise revenues."


With the Chancellor estimating that the Retail Price Index (RPI) will be -3% in September 2009, today's duty rise is an increase of 5% in real terms.  Scotch whisky is one of the country's top five earning export industries.

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