SNP attacks Labour over Scotch whisky tax rises

Summarised from The Herald's report · Updated 10 Oct, 07:31 · Archive

The SNP claims Labour is conducting a sustained attack on Scotch whisky through tax increases, citing job losses in distilleries.

The SNP is calling on Chancellor John Healey to reverse Labour's spirits duty increases, claiming they represent a 'sustained attack' on Scotch whisky. SNP Moray MSP Laura Mitchell and MP Graham Leadbitter, whose constituencies contain around one-third of Scotland's distilleries, have written to the Chancellor highlighting job cuts in the sector.

Spirits duty has been raised twice under Labour since October 2024, by 3.65% and then 3.66%, following a 10.1% increase under the Conservatives. This represents a total increase of 17% over three years. The SNP noted that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had pledged to back Scotch producers 'to the hilt' when he visited InchDairnie Distillery in Fife in opposition in November 2023. The Scotch whisky industry says UK Government spirits revenue has been £1.1bn lower than forecast since 2023.

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• SNP claims there is 'sustained attack' on Scotch whisky as it flags job lossesSNP claims there is a 'sustained attack' on Scotch whisky, highlighting job losses in the sectorThe Herald · 10 Oct, 04:35

In this story: SNP · Labour · John Healey · Laura Mitchell · Graham Leadbitter · Keir Starmer · Moray · Scotland

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