Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

WSTA launches weekly coronavirus webinar

Published: 25 March, 2020

The WSTA has announced it is launching a weekly webinar series on coronavirus (Covid-19) and the impact on the world of wines and spirits.

Drinks companies join forces to plea for duty suspension

Published: 23 March, 2020

An initial 32 drinks companies (all WSTA members) have joined forces to plea for a cash lifeline, calling collectively on the Chancellor to suspend duty.

Budget: Chancellor announces freeze on all alcohol duty

Published: 11 March, 2020

Duty on wines, spirits and beers is to be frozen, new Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced in today’s budget, allaying trade fears of another rise in line with inflation.

WSTA calls on Chancellor to support wine and spirit SMEs

Published: 18 February, 2020

Several UK wine and spirit SMEs have united to urge the new Chancellor, Rishi Sunak MP, to cut wine and spirit duty by 2% to help boost British business.

EU producers must support UK to deliver best Brexit outcome

Published: 14 February, 2020

European wine producers should join their UK counterparts in lobbying their own MPs and the EU to deliver the most favourable post-Brexit trading environment.

WSTA calls on members to ‘embrace a brave new world of trading’ as the UK Brexit

Published: 31 January, 2020

The WSTA has called on its members to “embrace a brave new world of trading” and “focus on opportunities” as Britain leaves the EU.

Government hit by fall in wine-duty revenues

Published: 02 December, 2019

Wine duty receipts fell back 2.1% in the first six months of the financial year, according to data released by the government.

WSTA urges government to act on concerns of industry

Published: 19 September, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) used its 2019 Industry Summit as a platform to urge the government to act on the concerns of the industry, also highlighting the “lack of political leadership replaced by heavy handed political manoeuvring”.

Wine trade faces £70m ‘paperwork’ bill in no-deal Brexit scenario

Published: 12 September, 2019

A hard Brexit is poised to land the wine trade with a £70m bill following the government pulling the cork on plans to suspend costly paperwork in the case of a no-deal scenario, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

WSTA welcomes move to reinstate duty free for travellers

Published: 11 September, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has welcomed the Chancellor’s plan to reinstate duty-free for travellers moving between the UK and the EU in the event of a no deal Brexit.

Think Gin debate: Innovation vs Integrity

Published: 15 July, 2019

Gin is at a crossroads and needs to tread carefully to retain its authentic credentials. Andrew Catchpole listens in on the debate at Harpers Think Gin event.

WSTA strengthens board with two new appointments

Published: 02 July, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has added to new members to its board as it looks ahead to Brexit.

British Ambassadors call for more British wine and spirits at international events

Published: 20 June, 2019

The UK’s Ambassadors and senior diplomats have said they want to serve more English wine and British gin.

Think Gin Debate: Innovation vs Integrity

Published: 19 June, 2019

As flavoured gins continue to drive rapid growth and innovation in the category, concern grows over how to ‘future proof’ the spirit and prevent it becoming a victim of its own success.

MPs urged to make no ‘no deal’ official before March 29

Published: 14 March, 2019

Last night’s vote to remove the possibility of a no deal scenario from the Brexit table has resulted in a sigh of relief from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) as well as other corners of the trade.

WSTA welcomes plan for temporary suspension on tariffs in event of 'no deal'

Published: 13 March, 2019

The Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) has welcomed the plan to temporarily suspend tariffs on wine and spirits under a ‘no deal’ Brexit scenario.

Post-Brexit trade deals could pressure Government over duty rises

Published: 28 February, 2019

Major New World exporters to the UK could bring pressure to bear on the UK Government over duty rises on wine as part of negotiations over future free trade agreements.

WSTA calls for wine tariffs suspension to avoid ‘no deal’ price hikes

Published: 11 January, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has called on the government to temporarily suspend wine tariffs to prevent prices rocketing in the event of a ‘no deal' Brexit .

Looking ahead: Miles Beale, WSTA

Published: 20 December, 2018

Tumultuous political times are offering an interesting backdrop to our latest Looking Ahead series.

WSTA reiterates ‘duty rise’ and ‘no deal' Brexit concerns to government

Published: 20 December, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) this week reiterated the “bleak picture” a ‘no deal Brexit’, combined with the pending duty rise, would paint for UK wine importers.