Scottish whiskey sector gets a reprieve
In a rather embarrassing gaffe it has today been revealed that in an attempt to make up the reduced VAT income on alcohol, the government had instigated increased duty across the board. However, somebody at the Treasury seems to have miscalculated the effect on the Scottish whiskey industry as overnight prices were set to increase by up to 29p per bottle.
This embarrassing situation was highlighted in today's pre-budget debate in the House of Commons where emergency amendments were drafted in to reduce the effects on the whiskey industry. The increase in duty has been reduced from 8% to 4% immediately which will ensure that the price of whiskey does not change on Monday. The error had caused much consternation in Scotland where the whiskey industry has been under pressure for some time and the competitive edge taken off industry in the UK and overseas.
Alcohol duty has always been a loser in every single budget in the modern ere as it is seen as a simple way to increase taxes at a cost of the consumer's pocket. Whiskey in particular has always fared badly although today's amendment to the pre-budget report has been well received.
As a side note the pub estate in UK has been dramatically reduced over the last 12 months as costs rise higher and higher, business levels continue to fall and many landlords are looking to get out of the sector.
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