Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra is facing fresh pressure to defend Scotland’s whisky industry after Labour MPs backed another increase in spirits duty at Westminster.
The SNP has challenged Mr Marra to speak out against the decision, accusing Labour MP’s representing Scottish constituencies of putting their party’s interests ahead of an industry worth billions to the Scottish economy.
The dispute follows a House of Commons vote on Tuesday 3 November 2026, when MPs approved the alcohol duty budget resolution by 331 votes to 181.
Labour MPs supported the measure, while SNP representatives voted against it, reopening arguments over the impact of Westminster taxation on one of Scotland’s most valuable exports.
The latest increase of 4.55% is due to take effect in February 2027, marking the fourth consecutive rise in spirits duty.
According to the Scotch Whisky Association, duty has increased by 24% since 2023, with the total tax burden on an average bottle of Scotch whisky now reaching 74%.
The industry has warned that repeated increases threaten investment, employment and the wider supply chain, particularly in whisky producing regions such as Moray and the Highlands.
The SNP has also highlighted figures showing a £1.1 billion decline in alcohol duty revenues following previous tax increases, arguing that the Government’s approach is failing both businesses and the Treasury.
Laura Mitchell MSP has now called on Mr Marra to challenge his Westminster colleagues and demand a change of direction.
She said:
“Michael Marra now has questions to answer, did he rubber stamp his MPs voting to damage Scotland’s economy and our key export?
“It really is time that Michael Marra found his voice and backed Scotland’s whisky industry, he cannot sit idly by while the Labour Party wrecks our £7 billion economic asset.
“Andy Burnham promised to deliver growth in every postcode, the disastrous decision to inflict higher taxes on Scotch whisky show that this promise does not apply to Moray.
“The Labour Party promised to back Scotland’s whisky sector “to the hilt” before the election, but for the third straight year the UK government has decided to hammer this industry, our greatest export deserves better.
“If Michael Marra wants to prove that he can stand up for Scotland, he must join our fight for the Scotch whisky industry and call on his bosses in Westminster to scrap this disastrous tax hike.
“Our key industries are under attack from crippling Westminster taxes.
“If these sectors were based south of the border, they would never be subjected to the same treatment, through a fresh start with independence we can take full control over our economy, back Scottish business and build a wealthier Scotland.”
Scotch whisky contributes approximately £7 billion to the economy and supports more than 65,000 jobs across the UK, making decisions affecting the sector particularly important for communities where distilling is a major employer.
The UK Government’s position is that alcohol duty should rise in line with inflation, although the Scotch Whisky Association has repeatedly challenged whether further increases will deliver the revenues ministers expect.
For Michael Marra, the latest dispute presents an early test of how his leadership of Scottish Labour will balance the priorities of Scotland’s industries against decisions taken by his party at Westminster.
The question now is whether the growing opposition from the whisky industry will persuade the Government to reconsider before the higher duty takes effect.
