Parties urged to show they give a dram about Scotland by ruling out Scotch tax hike

New polling shows 86 percent of Scots believe Scotch Whisky is important to the economy, with nine in ten thinking it’s important to Scottish exports and tourism.
UK duty on Scotch remains higher than any other country in the G7 – and spirits like Scotch taxed more than beer, wine or cider.

The Scotch Whisky Association has urged all political parties to show their support for the Scottish economy by ruling out further increases in excise duty on the country’s number one food and drink export.

The Association has made the call for support as new polling from Survation found that more the four in five Scots (86 percent) believe Scotch is important to the Scottish economy, with 90 percent stating it’s important for exports and 91 percent believing Scotch is important for Scottish tourism.

UK excise duty on Scotch Whisky is the highest in the G7 and more than double the average duty rate across European nations. Nearly three quarters (73 percent) of the cost of a bottle of Scotch Whisky in the UK is currently claimed in tax, and Scotch Whisky is taxed more per unit of alcohol than beer, wine or cider.

The industry continues to suffer from a whopping 10.1 percent increase in excise duty in August 2023 – the biggest rise in more than four decades, which has lost the Treasury nearly £115 million in tax revenue already. 

The Scotch Whisky industry generates £7.1 billion a year for the UK economy, with £5.6 billion in exports and over two million visits to distilleries a year.

The Scotch Whisky Association is calling on the next government to reduce the excise duty burden on spirits in line with the European Union average by the end of the next parliament.

Mark Kent, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said:

“Scotch Whisky is a cornerstone of the Scottish economy. This poll shows that Scots recognise that, and want candidates across political parties to recognise it too. That means ruling out further increases in excise duty after last year’s devastating tax hike, which has ultimately cost the Treasury over £100m, money that could’ve been used to support public services.

“Spirits like Scotch Whisky are taxed up to four times more than beer and cider. That is unfair, and something the next government must put right. Ruling out further tax hikes and reducing the tax burden over the next Parliament would be backed by voters, and a clear sign of support for Scotland’s flagship industry.”

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Mark Kent, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association

Notes to editors

About the Scotch Whisky Association

The Scotch Whisky Association is the trade association representing 95 percent of the Scotch Whisky industry.  There are 151 operating Scotch Whisky distilleries in Scotland, supporting 41,000 jobs directly and 25,000 more across the UK. The industry generates £7.1 billion a year in gross added value to the UK economy.

Survation methodology

Survation interview 2,061 residents aged 16 or over living in Scotland. The survey was conducted via online interview between 29 May 2024 and 4 June 2024.