For the first time in ten years, and in Alistair Darling’s first budget, duty on Scotch
Whisky is set to rise.
This has enraged producers and SNP ministers who feel the Scottish industry is being tapped by Westminister to prop up the ailing UK economy as a whole.
The duty, at 40%, currently pulls in 27p a dram for the treasury compared to beer [4.9%] and wine [11.2%.]
The government claims to be targeting spirits as part of a campaign of action against
binge-drinking. However, north of the border efforts for the greater good are not seen that way for a key domestic industry employing 43,000.
Without a doubt Alistair Darling could do with the money as the public deficit is rising sharply. Attempting to diffuse a cross-border powder keg, on behalf their southern colleagues, Scottish Labour are keen to point out that SNP’s own health initiatives are also aimed at making alcohol more expensive.
You’d be forgiven for drawing a parallel between this and say, a stand-off in Europe over gas; thank the lord that rig has already sailed…
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