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Industry gives cautious welcome to furlough scheme changes

Published:  01 June, 2020

The UK drinks trade has welcomed the extension of the government’s furlough scheme for UK workers during the corovirus crisis – but with concerns for the future.

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Wine tariffs to remain after Brexit transition period ends

Published:  19 May, 2020

Tariffs will remain in place on wines imported into the UK after the current Brexit transition period ends.

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Suppliers seek clarity over support

Published:  07 May, 2020

Key suppliers to the shuttered on-trade have called on the government to help them survive Covid-19, pointing both to clarification on reopening measures and greater financial support.

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WSTA outlines key priorities for post-Brexit trade

Published:  06 May, 2020

Back in proactive lobbying mode, the WSTA outlined its key priorities and government asks on Wednesday as the UK hurtles towards the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020. 

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Living with lockdown – Enotria & Coe

Published:  24 April, 2020

Troy Christensen, CEO at Enotria & Coe, talks frankly with Andrew Catchpole about the impact of the current crisis on on-trade suppliers and the daunting challenges ahead for the hospitality sector.

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Furlough extension welcomed, but WSTA ups call for duty deferment

Published:  20 April, 2020

The Wine & Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) on Friday welcomed government’s extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furloughing) to the end of June 2020, but pressed again for an acceleration of relief measures for businesses hit hard by the coronavirus crisis.

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Trade associations collectively urge governments to keep food and drink imports and exports flowing

Published:  16 April, 2020

Trade associations from across the UK food and drink supply chain have come together to publish a letter, calling on governments to ensure the continuation of imports and exports of food and drink at this critical time. 

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WSTA survey reveals ‘overwhelming’ support for tax break

Published:  01 April, 2020

Almost 95% of companies taking part in a new members survey by the WSTA have agreed with the industry body’s call on the government to suspend excise duty for six months.

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WSTA and CEEV call for regulatory alignment post-Brexit

Published:  27 March, 2020

Wine trade bodies, the WSTA and CEEV have jointly urged the British government to maintain regulatory alignment on wine post-Brexit.

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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. 

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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.     

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Industry calls for alcohol duty suspension for at least six months

Published:  18 March, 2020

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is calling on officials to urgently suspend all alcohol duty to ease the tax burden on beleaguered businesses ahead of next week’s deadline. 

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WSTA in pan UK-EU talks to ensure GIs protected post Brexit

Published:  13 March, 2020

By January 2021, when Brexit comes into force, WSTA, the UK’s drinks lobby group, will no longer be a member of the pan-European wine trade body, CEEV. But ahead of further UK-EU trade talks, the two bodies are uniting once more to lobby for the continued smooth trade of wine across the English Channel.

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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.

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Wine Drinkers UK urges Chancellor not to discriminate against working class and women

Published:  02 March, 2020

Wine Drinkers UK has called on the new Chancellor not to discriminate against the working class and women ahead of the next Budget on 11 March.

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UK distillery numbers hit record high

Published:  02 March, 2020

The British gin boom is far from over, if the latest distillery numbers from HMRC are any guide.

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Soapbox: Nik Darlington on Brexit hubris

Published:  19 February, 2020

Our second entry in a series of topical viewpoints from the trade finds Graft Wines co-owner Nik Darlington cautioning British producers against talking up the alleged benefits of exiting the EU

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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.

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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.

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Rising price of wine threatens half of UK shoppers

Published:  07 February, 2020

The average retail price of a bottle of still wine will break the £6 barrier in the UK for the first time this year, according to new figures from the WSTA.

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