The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) has repeated its call for the Scottish government to introduce a dedicated cabinet secretary or minister for tourism.
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In a letter to the chancellor, UK Hospitality has proposed six measures that the government could implement to help hospitality businesses through increasing energy costs.
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The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) has released an open letter addressed to Scotland’s next MSPs just days before the Scottish Parliamentary election, due to take place this Thursday (7 May).
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The wine and spirits sector has hit back against what the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) called “the UK's uniquely punitive excise duty regime”.
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Alcohol-free social impact business Club Soda has launched what it claims is the first ‘benchmarking’ survey of the low, no and mid-strength sector, aimed at gathering data to inform government policymaking. The survey is open to low & no brands, to ensure that they get a voice.
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The National Wine Agency of Georgia (NWA) has approved a new national framework. The new guidelines mean that all new commercial vineyards will require NWA approval.
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Mike Nesbitt, the health minister for Northern Ireland, has said that he will be unable to deliver minimum unit pricing (MUP) before the Stormont election in May 2027, as reported by the BBC.
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The new Australia-EU trade deal will see the introduction of zero-for-zero tariffs on wine and spirits exports. The agreement also sees new arrangements regarding EU and Australian ‘geographical indications’ (GIs).
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New proposals to introduce a tourist levy in England could deliver a £1.6bn tax hit to consumers while shrinking the wider economy and reducing employment, according to UK Hospitality.
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In the latest update to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) – the basket of goods the government uses to measure inflation – off-trade sales of alcohol-free beer have been added to the list for the first time.
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The European Council has today (23 February) announced a “modernised policy framework” to support the EU wine industry. The legislation covers a raft of measures including enhanced sustainability support, new no-alcohol wine definitions and updated labelling practices.
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Following the striking down of Trump’s tariff regime by the Supreme Court, the US president announced on Saturday (21 February) that he would introduce a global tariff rate of 15%. This could provide yet another headache for UK drinks exporters who may see duties on products travelling across the pond rise.
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The recent decision by the Welsh government to include single-use glass bottles in its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been criticised by the WSTA, which called the policy costly and ineffective.
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The Scottish Government has announced that it will be increasing business rates relief for hospitality and music venues from 15% to 40% for the next three years (subject to a £110,000 cap per business).
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In a new ‘proactive’ market audit, industry regulator Portman Group has found “near universal” adherence to high standards of alcohol marketing.
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The WSTA has called on the government to end the “doom loop” caused by its decision to continue to increase alcohol duty at the last Budget (as Harpers reported).
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The government has revealed a support package aimed at helping pubs and music venues in England, worth £80m.
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Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that the hospitality sector employed 8,784 fewer people in December 2025 compared to November 2025.
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Last week’s reports that pubs will see great business rates support has been followed by a chorus of industry figures urging the government to extend the relief to all of hospitality.
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Leading charity Drinkaware has welcomed a consultation from the Department for Transport (DfT) which proposes reducing the safe alcohol limit at which driving becomes an offence in England and Wales, as part of a broader strategy to improve road safety in the UK.
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