The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) welcomes the UK Government's decision to freeze excise duty on spirits in the Budget, which helps support the competitiveness of Scotch Whisky.
The freeze is a show of support for a major UK manufacturing industry and its supply chain, and for the 40,000 jobs Scotch Whisky supports across the UK.
However, a cut would have provided a bigger boost for consumers, the industry and public finances. Plus, the industry's competitiveness would have been boosted, which is vital as it turns the challenges of Brexit into opportunities.
As a result of the freeze, tax - VAT and excise duty - on an average priced bottle of Scotch Whisky in the UK remains at 80%. This means more than £10 on a bottle goes straight to the Treasury.
Karen Betts, Scotch Whisky Association chief executive, said, 'We welcome the freeze in excise duty on spirits, which helps support the competitiveness of Scotch - a major UK export - in uncertain times. My thanks go to all MPs and MSPs who have supported Scotch and helped convince the Chancellor that a second duty rise in 2017 would have hurt the industry and consumers.
'But tax on Scotch is still very high. £4 in every £5 spent on Scotch goes to the Treasury, and we believe this is a missed opportunity. We believe a cut would have delivered more revenues to the government as well as underscoring government support for an important UK manufacturing industry, which supports 40,000 jobs across the UK.'