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Scotland's alcohol policy fails as death toll rises

Published:  13 September, 2024

In recent years, Scotland has faced a worsening crisis of alcohol-related harm, as the number of deaths linked to alcohol consumption has surged. Despite being the first country in the world to introduce a Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) policy in 2018, the strategy has not achieved the expected results. Coupled with the Scottish government’s controversial plans to ban alcohol advertising, these initiatives have sparked a heated debate on the effectiveness of policy-driven approaches to reducing alcohol abuse.

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Widespread compliance with Portman’s voluntary guidelines

Published:  12 September, 2024

A new review of alcohol labelling in the UK has shown almost universal compliance with the Portman Group’s voluntary health labelling guidelines.

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Scottish hospitality faces regulatory challenges amid visitor levy and cup charge plans

Published:  05 September, 2024

Scotland's hospitality sector is bracing for the impact of new regulations outlined in the Scottish government's Programme for Government 2024-25, including a visitor levy and a proposed 25p charge on single-use cups, which includes plastic beer cups.

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NZ wine industry unveils roadmap to net zero by 2050

Published:  04 September, 2024

New Zealand Winegrowers has unveiled the New Zealand Wine Roadmap to Net Zero 2050 during the Research & Innovation Forum, part of the Altogether Unique 2024 wine celebrations held on 30 August in Wellington. 

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Edinburgh visitor levy scheme draft sparks mixed reactions

Published:  16 August, 2024

A draft scheme ahead of the Policy and Sustainability Committee meeting on 22 August proposes a visitor levy in Edinburgh, allowing accommodation providers to retain 2.5% of the proceeds to cover their costs. The visitor levy, a fee imposed on overnight stays, is intended to raise funds for local services and tourism-related projects. UKHospitality Scotland supports this measure, emphasising that it is vital to prevent the levy from hindering investment, economic growth and job creation in the sector.

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TikTok opens doors to alcohol advertising in the US

Published:  15 August, 2024

TikTok has started allowing alcohol advertisements in the US, a change that began in June. 

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MP urges government to address non-alcoholic drink prices

Published:  14 August, 2024

The government has been urged to collaborate with the drinks industry to reduce the cost of non-alcoholic beers and wines. Mark Pritchard, the MP for The Wrekin, advised health minister Andrew Gwynne to explore ways to lower prices for these drinks.

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Unite launches campaign for fair pay and tips in hospitality sector

Published:  01 August, 2024

Unite the union, representing thousands of hospitality workers, has launched a nationwide campaign to ensure that workers in the lowest-paid sector receive fair pay and tips.

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Adrian Bridge calls for market reforms in Port industry

Published:  29 July, 2024

Adrian Bridge (pictured), CEO of The Fladgate Partnership, has his say on a so-called “social catastrophe” for winegrowers in the Douro region.

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Government unveils key measures for hospitality growth

Published:  18 July, 2024

The Labour government’s first King’s Speech has been welcomed by the hospitality sector for introducing measures aimed at achieving a 6% annual growth potential. Key proposals include reforms to the Apprenticeship Levy and the planning system, which were major requests from industry body UKHospitality.

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Abruzzo wine implements ‘Abruzzo Model’

Published:  24 June, 2024

The Abruzzo wine region is undergoing a significant transformation with the introduction of the ‘Abruzzo Model’. 

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Migration policies must address hospitality sector

Published:  04 June, 2024

Ahead of the 4 July general election, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to reduce the number of migrants each year under a new Conservative government. 

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Visitor Levy in Scotland delayed until 2026 at the earliest

Published:  30 May, 2024

The Visitor Levy Bill, passed on Tuesday (28 June) by the Scottish Parliament, concludes a decade-long debate on whether councils should have the authority to introduce a visitor levy or tourist tax. The Bill empowers councils to consider and potentially implement such a levy, although it won't come into effect until 2026 at the earliest.

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UK drinks trade reacts to surprise July general election

Published:  23 May, 2024

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement of a surprise general election on July 4 has stirred significant reactions within the UK drinks trade. 

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UK's Deposit Return Scheme faces 2027 Delay

Published:  26 April, 2024

Efforts to align the UK's bottle deposit and return scheme (DRS) across all four nations have hit a snag, with an anticipated launch pushed back to 2027, marking a four-year extension from the original timeline.

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Charity ordered to pay legal costs in Dry January trademark dispute

Published:  23 April, 2024

A brewing company has won a legal battle against Alcohol Change UK (ACUK), the charity behind the annual alcohol abstention campaign ‘Dry January’. The dispute arose when ACUK attempted to extend its trademark to cover sales of products such as low-alcohol beers.

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Statutory Pubs Code to be introduced in Scotland

Published:  12 April, 2024

The Scottish government has announced legislation to improve the rights of tied pub tenants. 

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Fines loom for businesses yet to submit packaging data WSTA warns

Published:  10 April, 2024

The WSTA has issued a warning to hundreds of businesses ahead of May’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) deadline.

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Government to support SMEs in energy disputes

Published:  08 April, 2024

The government has announced it will support British businesses to settle energy disputes.

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Australia welcomes removal of Chinese wine tariffs

Published:  28 March, 2024

The Chinese Commerce Ministry has confirmed that China will end three years of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on Australian wine from March 29.

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