Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD WELCOMES FIRST MINISTER’S SUPPORT OF SCOTCH WHISKY INDUSTRY

Richard Lochhead MSP has welcomed calls from the First Minister Humza Yousaf for the Scotch whisky industry to be treated fairly after the Tory UK Government hiked tax on whisky in its recent budget. 

The First Minister is set to meet with the Prime Minister today and will raise concerns over the impact of his government’s 10% tax increase on the whisky industry, as well as the decision to exclude distillers from energy support schemes for the drinks industry.

Moray’s MSP, Richard Lochhead, has been outspoken in his opposition to the Tory tax hike on Scotch whisky and has voiced serious concerns that it could lead to a loss of investment in Speyside.

Commenting Mr Lochhead said:

“I’m delighted that support for the Scotch whisky industry will be high on the agenda for the First Minister’s meeting with the Prime Minister.

“Whisky distillers are one of the biggest employers in my constituency and the industry is vital to the Speyside and Moray economy, and the Tories unfair tax hikes the industry is causing a great deal of concern.

“In 2019 as part of their election campaign, the Tories announced to big fanfare their plans to ensure the tax system supported the Scotch whisky industry.

“However, it’s clear that was an empty promise as the Tory Chancellor has now hiked whisky duty by 10% and the average bottle will now be taxed at an astonishing 75%. What’s worse, these tax rises come at the same time as the UK Government is excluding the whisky industry from the energy bill support the rest of the drinks industry is to receive.

“This is a complete betrayal of Speyside and Scotland’s whisky industry and the Tory Government needs to think again.”