MORE than half of Scots think the UK Government should be doing more to support the whisky industry, according to new polling.
Some 55% of people said that the Tory government was not doing enough in response to a Survation poll for the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).
The survey also found that almost two-thirds of Scottish adults (63%) would support a freeze to excise duty on Scotch whisky in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement on November 22.
A 10.1% duty increase for whisky was brought in by the UK Government on August 1, in a move that the SWA said took “the tax burden on the average priced bottle to 75%”.
Further results in the Savanta poll of 1064 Scots, conducted between October 9 and 13, found that nearly nine in ten (86%) believe the whisky industry is important to the Scottish economy.
More than nine in ten Scots (92%) also believe the Scotch industry is important to tourism and hospitality (91%).
Mark Kent, the chief executive of the SWA, said: “Scots recognise the contribution Scotch whisky distilleries make to the economy, whether through hospitality, tourism and exports. These are crucial businesses for local economies and merit the type of support Scots want to see the Chancellor provide in his autumn statement.
“Distillers and the businesses they support have already felt the impact of the double-digit duty hike this year – which the ONS said saw alcohol make the biggest contribution to UK inflation on record.
“The Chancellor should back our industry and help deliver on his commitment to halve inflation by ruling out any further excise duty increase in his autumn statement.”
A HM Treasury spokesperson said: "Scotch has received nine cuts or freezes at the last 10 budgets.
"We have also acted to remove punitive tariffs on Scotch whisky imposed on the US market and are committed to protecting the interests of Scotch whisky in trading agreements, ensuring that they face lower tariffs for export, and that the unique characteristics and global reputation of Scotch is protected."
