Moray SNP News
MORAY MSP RESPONDS TO POLL SHOWING MAJORITY OF SCOTS FEEL TORIES DON’T SUPPORT SCOTCH WHISKY INDUSTRY
06/11/2023Richard Lochhead MSP for Moray has said it is no surprise the majority of Scots believe the Tory UK Government is not doing enough to support the Scotch whisky industry.
According to a Survation poll for the Scotch Whisky Association, 55% of people said the Tory Government wasn’t doing enough to support the industry and almost two third of Scottish adults would support a freeze to whisky duty in the Chancellor’s autumn statement later this month.
This comes after the UK Government imposed a 10.1% hike in duty on whisky in August, taking the tax burden on the average bottle of Scotch to 75%.
Responding to the poll Mr Lochhead, who represents the iconic Speyside region, said:
“This poll shows the strong support of the wider public for the Scotch whisky industry and a real recognition of the huge contribution this global brand makes to Scotland’s economy.
“As MSP for the iconic Speyside region, it comes as no surprise to me that the majority of people feel the Tory UK Government is not doing enough to support the whisky industry. The Tory’s 10% hike in whisky duty earlier this year – bringing the tax burden to an eye-watering 75% on the average bottle – is the latest example of Scotch whisky being treated unfairly compared to other alcohol producers by the UK Treasury.
“There’s clear public support in Scotland for the whisky industry and for a freeze in duty ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. If they Tories wish to persuade the people of Scotland that the UK Government supports our whisky industry and those who work in it, then the Chancellor should rule out any further hikes in duty."
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