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SNP MPs demand demand Labour stick to whisky industry pledge in budget





Two local SNP MPs have urged the Chancellor to stick to her commitment to the Scotch whisky industry.

Aberdeenshire North and Moray East MP Seamus Logan, along with his Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey colleague Graham Leadbitter, have joined other SNP MPs in key whisky-producing constituencies have written to Rachel Reeves ahead of the budget on October 30.

SNP MPs Seamus Logan MP (inset top) and Graham Leadbitter have urged the Chancellor to back the Scotch whisky industry.
SNP MPs Seamus Logan MP (inset top) and Graham Leadbitter have urged the Chancellor to back the Scotch whisky industry.

In the letter, they have urged the Labour Party and UK Treasury to live up to their commitment to back the Scotch Whisky industry “to the hilt”, a commitment previously given on X by Labour Leader Sir Kier Starmer in 2023.

However, the two locla SNP MPs have accused the UK government of hindering the industry with over-regulation and “Westminster-centric” policy.

Analysis conducted by the Scotch Whisky Association found that, after the UK Government increased whisky excise duty by 10.1 per cent last year, duty revenue received by the Treasury has fallen by £298 million per year.

Additionally, from January 1, 2025, Scotch whisky producers will pay three different taxes per bottle - £8.86 duty, 20 per cent VAT, and Extended Producer Responsibility (estimated at around £0.15 per bottle, based on DEFRA’s published fees of up to £215/tonne for glass.

Mr Leadbitter said: “The Labour government must make good on their promises to back the whisky industry ‘to the hilt.’

“I’m fortunate enough to represent some of the finest Scotch whisky brands in the world, but the potential of their world-class products are being hindered by the UK government’s over-regulation and Westminster-centric policy making.

“I’d invite anyone from the UK government involved in the regulation of whisky to visit my constituency and see for themselves the damaging impact their policy has on the producers and people based here.

“If Scotch whisky is to thrive and meet its potential, at home and abroad, while also providing a source of income to the Treasury, the UK government has to re-evaluate the burden placed on the industry.”

Mr Logan commented: “Scotch whisky is an iconic part of our culture and importantly plays a huge role in Scotland’s economy – generating over £6 billion in export sales every year.

“It beggars belief that the Conservatives slapped an eye-watering 75 per cent tax on bottles of Scotch whisky which support more than 40,000 jobs in Scotland.

“The Tory Whisky Tax held back growth in this globally renowned industry and punished local distilleries for paying billions into the Treasury’s coffers.

“The question for the new Labour government now is; will they persist with the Tory whisky tax or take the opportunity to support this important Scottish industry?”


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