A decline in the UK’s Scotch whisky industry of nearly 5% highlights the need for a cut in tax, according to the body that represents whisky manufacturers.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) also claimed that the market had contracted by 9.5% since 2009. The number of 70cl bottles of the spirit produced fell from 87.5m in 2013 to just over 83m last year, figures from the UK government’s customs agency showed.
Now the trade body wants the treasury to cut duty on spirits, which can account for up to 78% of the price of a bottle of whisky.
SWA chief executive David Frost said: “Scotch whisky is a massive export success for the UK so it’s obviously disappointing to see this decline in volumes in our domestic market.
“In next week’s budget the chancellor has the perfect opportunity to support an important UK industry. He should cut spirits duty by 2%. This move would also benefit consumers and public finances.”
The news follows research published in January that suggested the UK Scotch whisky industry contributed almost £5bn to the country’s economy and supported more than 40,000 jobs in direct and indirect terms.
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