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WSTA urges two-year alcohol duty freeze to boost economy

Published:  23 September, 2024

Wine and spirit businesses are calling on the government to freeze alcohol duty for at least two years, arguing it will help offset declining revenues and support public finances.

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Scotch whisky exports fall by 18% in first half of 2024

Published:  12 September, 2024

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has revealed a significant drop in exports, with a decline of 18% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The value of exports in H1 2024 fell to £2.1bn, while the volume dropped by 10.2%, equating to 566 million 70cl bottles, or 36 bottles per second. This contrasts with 40 bottles per second in the first half of 2023.

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Whisky association urges duty cut after revenue loss

Published:  24 June, 2024

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is urging the next government to reverse the damage caused by Jeremy Hunt’s 10% increase in spirits excise duty. Newly published figures from HMRC reveal that the Treasury has lost more than £100m since the tax hike last August.

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WSTA takes aim at Gareth Davies on duty

Published:  26 March, 2024

The government is using public health arguments as a “thin veneer to maintain market distortions” Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA, has said in a rebuttal of the claims made by Gareth Davies at the Westminster Hall debate earlier this month.

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Inflation drains Treasury coffers by £600m

Published:  21 February, 2024

Soaring alcohol inflation has made an explosive hole in HMRC’s receipts, new figures reveal.

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WSTA’s inflation prediction confirmed

Published:  19 February, 2024

Research shows alcohol duty hikes have negatively affected wine and spirits sales – and contributed to UK inflation rates. James Bayley looks into the figures.

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HMRC downplays wine duty pain

Published:  03 July, 2023

HMRC, the architects of the upcoming duty reforms, have released a ‘one-month to go’ reminder about the changes coming into effect on 1 August – though with one glaring omission.

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Nick Gillett: Regulating spirits – a system with no sense

Published:  02 November, 2022

I like to think I’m a man with common sense. Yet, when I look at the stifling, strangling system of regulations we face as an industry in the UK, I see absolutely zero of it.

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UK gin exports stymied by Brexit and Covid-19

Published:  15 February, 2022

Exports of British gin have fallen for the second year running, according to the latest HMRC figures released yesterday.

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Cask whisky specialist eyes Asian market

Published:  05 July, 2021

London-based Cask Trade is opening an outpost in Hong Kong following an “unprecedented” spike in demand from the region.

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SME Brexit Support Fund opens for applications

Published:  16 March, 2021

The £20m SME Brexit Support Fund, announced last month, is now open for applications. 

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Operators without necessary licence run risk of fine for cocktail deliveries

Published:  11 March, 2021

Operators selling pre-mixed cocktails for home consumption without the necessary licence are at risk of getting fined by the HMRC, UK law firm TLT has warned. 

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Pandemic fails to halt UK distillery boom

Published:  09 February, 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has failed to halt the UK’s distillery boom with new figures showing a record number of distilleries were registered in 2020.

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WSTA Summit: Lord Holmes urges govt to embrace blockchain over VI1s

Published:  16 September, 2020

Panellists at the Wine and Spirits Trade Association Trust’s (WSTA) second summit session advocated for government support on traceable technology for the movement of goods – while dropping plans for costly and time consuming paper VI1 forms.

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End of Eat Out to Help Out signals new phase for restaurants

Published:  01 September, 2020

Food sales went through the roof in the first three weeks of the government’s The Eat Out to Help Out (EOHO) scheme, helping to normalise going out for Brits and jumpstarting the UK hospitality industry back towards health and prosperity.

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Eat out to help out totals 10.5m claims in its first week

Published:  12 August, 2020

UK diners have been quick to adopt the Treasury’s plan to boost the hospitality industry by taking advantage of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

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Shakedown looms for English and Welsh spirits

Published:  06 July, 2020

A restructure could be on the cards for the English and Welsh spirits sector, as pressure from an impending recession begins to squeeze brands at either end of the price spectrum. Jo Gilbert reports

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Lawyers urge businesses to “read the fine print” over Job Retention Scheme

Published:  25 March, 2020

Legal advice has been issued to drinks businesses who are now looking to rely on the government’s promise to cover 80% of salaries (up to a limit of £2,500) a month to furloughed members of staff during the current coronavirus (Covid-19) health crisis.

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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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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.

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