Scotch industry hopeful over excise duty cut

The Scotch Whisky Association has welcomed a hint that Chancellor George Osborne may cut the cost of a bottle of Scotch next month.

At an event in the Houses of Parliament last week, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said: “We know in Westminster that another Budget brings another set of asks. We are hopeful we will be able to meet the asks.”

The SWA is calling for 2% to be knocked off the duty levelled on whisky.

Currently, 78% of the cost of a bottle of Scotch goes to the Treasury. Industry polling carried out last year found nine out of 10 people think that is too much.

Scotch Whisky Association chief executive David Frost said: “It’s encouraging to hear Alistair Carmichael acknowledge the contribution of the Scotch whisky industry to the economy and say such supportive words.

“We are pleased that he is clearly listening to our call for excise duty to be cut by 2% in next month’s Budget.

“We will continue to make our case that tax of almost 80% on an average bottle of Scotch is unfair on both consumers and the industry and we hope the Chancellor will recognise this in his statement.”