An SNP MP who earlier this year urged the UK government to put Scotch Whisky “front and centre” of UK-India trade talks has welcomed news of a trade deal as a “win for whisky”.
The deal will see tariffs on exports of Scotch Whisky to India halved, with additional reductions expected in later years.
Graham Leadbitter, whose Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency is home to one-third of Scotland’s whisky distilleries, and iconic Speyside malts, said the deal was “great news” but warned that, without more support from the UK government, the sector will continue to face enormous challenges.
Commenting, Graham Leadbitter MP said:
“I welcome this news and will happily give credit where it’s due to the UK government for securing this deal, but while this is a win for whisky there is much more to do to secure a lasting future for the industry.
“Tariff reductions in the largest export market, by volume, for Scotch Whisky are great news, but it still comes at a time where the sector faces enormous challenges from elsewhere.
“Whisky producers are taking a big hit, not just from Trump tariffs, but from the UK government’s tax raids on the industry which have seen revenue for both distillers and the Treasury drop.
“If the UK government is serious about giving our world-class industry the backing it deserves, they should build on the progress they’ve made with this deal by cutting their punitive whisky taxes.
“So far Labour have shown themselves to be no friend to the industry – I hope this is the beginning of that changing.”
