Call for budget move to back Scotch whisky

THE UK Government has been urged to freeze spirit duty next month as Moray's whisky industry reels from the introduction of US import tariffs.

Moray Conservative MP Douglas Ross has urged colleagues in the UK Government to announce a freeze – at the very least – on spirit duty in the budget on November 6.

Last week the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) warned that single malt whisky exports to the US could drop by one-fifth within a year after the US trade-war move to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports.

Mr Ross said: "Since my election as Moray’s MP, I have focused a lot of my attention on supporting our iconic Scotch whisky industry and other spirits produced here in Moray and we’ve had success in the previous two budgets.

"My Scottish Conservative colleagues and I secured duty freezes since 2017 and I’m seeking the same outcome this year.

"It has not always been an easy ask of the Treasury, but with the support of the SWA and local distilleries, I believe we have a compelling case to once again secure a freeze this year, and if other alcohol products were to get a cut in duty, ensure there is parity with them.

"The 25 per cent tariff applied to Scotch single malt whisky as part of the US-EU trade dispute has been a big blow to the industry in recent weeks and I continue to press for these damaging tariffs to be reversed.

"But a way of supporting Scotch whisky would be for the government to heed my calls and again freeze spirit duty.

"I’ve already made representations to the Treasury and will continue to urge the Chancellor of the Exchequer to deliver this freeze or parity with other alcohols in his budget next month which I know will be welcomed by spirit producers across Moray."

Last year Scotch whisky exports to the US were worth £1 billion.

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