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Inverness
Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Call for Whisky Duty Cut

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The SNP has challenged Scotland Secretary, Ian Murray, to cut whisky duty. 
 
It comes after the industry marked one year since Tory Chancellor Jeremy Hunt raised duties to 10.1% making UK tariffs the highest in the G7.
 
Hunt’s hike was criticised at the time by the now Scotland Secretary, Ian Murray, who then accused the Tories of “breaking their promise” to the whisky trade. 
 
The UK Government’s own tax receipts show the duty led to a £132 million loss for the Treasury, while 70% of distilleries say they fear for their ability to invest as a result of the increase.
 
Scotch Whisky represents 26% of all UK food and drink exports and contributed £7.1 billion to the economy in 2022.
 
Now Ian Murray is behind the wheel at the Scotland Office, SNP MP Graham Leadbitter has challenged him to take action to cut tariffs.
 
As the MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, Mr Leadbitter represents much of Scotland’s whisky sector.
 
Commenting, Mr Leadbitter said:
 
“UK whisky tariffs are the highest in the G7 and Ian Murray was right to condemn the Tories after Jeremy Hunt hiked them a year ago, but now he is Secretary of State he has the chance to make good on his criticisms and reverse the duty increase on Scotch Whisky now.
 
“Scotch Whisky represents more than a quarter of all UK food and drink exports, but the UK Government’s tariffs are costing our economy and holding back our industry.
 
“Labour promised the public that its Scottish MPs would be at the beating heart of government, so now is their chance to do right by Scotland’s whisky trade – it should be a simple enough task for Ian Murray given his previous comments.
 
“SNP MPs were elected to put Scotland’s interests first and that’s exactly what we intend to do – it’s time to cut the duty that weighs down our whisky sector.”

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