SWA welcomes duty decrease

Published: 27 November, 2008

Scotch whisky distillers have welcomed the Government's clarification of changes to the excise duty on spirits, following this week's pre-Budget report.

Scotch whisky distillers have welcomed the Government's clarification of changes to the excise duty on spirits, following this week's pre-Budget report.

Draft legislation published yesterday raises excise duty by 4% rather than the originally proposed 8%.

On the basis of the revised figures, taking into account a temporary 2.5% cut in VAT, the overall duty burden on scotch whisky will now remain broadly unchanged.

Gavin Hewitt, chief executive of The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), said: "The SWA welcomes the government's quick and positive action to ensure that the overall duty burden faced by scotch whisky in its home market remains broadly unchanged as a result of this week's pre-Budget report. This is a good signal to our many overseas markets."

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