This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Poll results: spirits duty impacts voting intentions
Nearly a third of voters would be less likely to support the Conservative party in the next election if alcohol duty is increased in the spring budget, poll results show.
The poll was conducted by Survation on behalf of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). It surveyed 1,034 adults, aged 18 and over, in Scotland, between 10 and 11 March 2023.
Currently, tax on Scotch whisky in the UK is 70%. The survey asked respondents: “If the chancellor raises the duty on Scotch whisky in next week’s budget, would this make you: More likely to vote Conservative at the next Westminster elections; less likely to vote Conservative at the next Westminster elections; no more or less likely to vote Conservative at the next Westminster elections; or don’t know.”
A total of 327 people (31.66%) said they would be less likely to vote Conservative, compared with 12.72% who would be more likely to vote Conservative, 42.93% who would be no more or less likely to vote Conservative, and 12.69% who said they don’t know.
With the spring budget due to be announced on Wednesday 15 March, the SWA is urging the UK chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, to fulfil the pledge made in 2019 to “ensure our tax system is supporting Scottish whisky”.
Mark Kent, chief executive of the SWA, said: “Distillers across Scotland are waiting for the pledge made in 2019 to be fulfilled. There has been a review of alcohol taxation, but still Scotch whisky is taxed more than beer, wine or cider and 99% of distillers do not have access to tax breaks available to sales in the on-trade.
“The competitive disadvantage faced by the industry could get worse if the chancellor further raises tax on Scotch whisky and other spirits in the budget this week.
“We urge him to listen to people across Scotland, make good on the commitment to support Scotch whisky, and freeze duty.”
The SWA highlighted how Scotch contributes more than £5.5 billion (US$6.6bn) to the UK economy every year, supporting more than 42,000 jobs nationwide.
The trade body warned any increase to spirits duty would put Scotch distillers at a ‘further competitive disadvantage and disproportionately impact business north of the border’.