Poll shows 84% of Brits think Scotch tax is unfair

A survey has revealed 84% of Britons believe the rate of tax on Scotch whisky – equal to 78% of the cost of a bottle – is unfair.

The figures came to light as a result of research by Censuswide on behalf of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), which surveyed 1,129 people throughout the UK and showed one in three people buy a bottle of Scotch as a Christmas present for someone.

But double that number, nearly two-thirds, were unaware that the cost of an average bottle of Scotch whisky in the UK includes £10.06 of tax.

“These results show that consumers see Scotch as a holiday staple for gifting and entertaining,” said David Frost, chief executive of the SWA.

“We have got to find a way to put a bit of money back into people’s pockets not only during the festive season, but throughout the year, which is why we are campaigning too for a 2% cut in alcohol duty in the 2015 Budget.

“A 78% tax on a bottle of Scotch is simply not fair.”

Furthermore, three quarters of those questioned said they “feel the pinch” during the Christmas period due to pressures including travel, buying presents and paying for entertainment.

“Families across the country are still feeling the pinch, not just over the Christmas period but all year round,” said Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the Taxpayers’ Alliance. “The Shancellor has a chance to leave a little more in people’s pockets by cutting this unfairly high tax down to size in the Budget.

“Politicians often talk about the cost of living crisis, and this a chance for the Chancellor to do something about it.”

Last week, a new report claimed cutting duty on spirits and wine in the UK by just 2% would generate an extra £1.5 billion for public finances.

The data was released as part of a joint campaign in the UK by the SWA and the WSTA called Drop the Duty, which is calling on Chancellor George Osborne to introduce a “modest” 2% cut in duty across all alcohol products in the next Budget scheduled to be delivered in March 2015.