28 October 2026
UK Budget is a 'disappointing blow' to the spirits sector
Mark Kent, Chief Executive of the SWA said: “Today’s spirits duty increase announced by the Chancellor is a disappointing blow to the Scotch Whisky sector, its supply chain and the local communities it supports.
"Another duty increase – the fourth in as many years – will see the tax burden on the average bottle of Scotch Whisky rise to 74%. Further support has been offered to small brewers and cider makers, excluding small producers in the spirits sector which is hugely important to the Scottish economy. The fact remains that consumers who don’t choose to drink pints – and the hospitality businesses who rely on spirits as part of a diverse and modern offering – are being unfairly penalised.
Scotch Whisky Association Chief Executive Mark Kent reacts to HM Treasury's UK Budget
“We’ve repeatedly warned that increasing the spirits super tax will not only pile further costs on distillers, but will harm the supply chain and reduce Treasury revenue. Nobody wins when hard-pressed businesses are taxed to the hilt.
Nobody wins when hard-pressed businesses are taxed to the hilt.
“The UK Government should listen to business and pay attention to the evidence. We will fully consider the findings of the evaluation report published today and press the Treasury for systemic reform to provide greater fairness for Scotch Whisky. Today’s decision to increase duty, alongside the inherent imbalance at the heart of the current duty system, puts further pressure on the sector, stalls investment and ultimately limits our ability to generate growth.”
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Notes to editors
- For media enquiries, please contact pressoffice@swa.org.uk.
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Duty on spirits like Scotch Whisky has now risen 24% since 2023.
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Total tax burden is now 74%, up from 72%.
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Today's announcement means that £12.84 of the average price of a bottle of Scotch Whisky will now be taken in tax, including £9.95 in excise duty on every bottle.