Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to increase the value of exports of Scotch whisky per year.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Food and drink is a key strength of Scotland’s, and the Scotland Office and Department for Business and Trade are working closely on a range of shared priorities to increase the value of numerous Scottish exports.
Scotch whisky exports are being championed through the Brand Scotland initiative, and I will be in Malaysia and Singapore later this month to promote our first-class food and drinks exports to growing markets in Asia.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of increases in the duty on non-draught alcohol on levels of employment in the scotch whisky industry.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Despite the previous government increasing duty by 10.1%, the Scotch Whisky industry employs 11,000 people directly in Scotland, 7,000 of whom work in rural areas. In addition, the industry supports a further 42,000 jobs across the UK, 36,000 of which are based in Scotland. Furthermore, the increases in duty are in line with inflation. I am confident that the sector will continue to offer excellent employment opportunities to people in Scotland, while remaining one of our most successful exports, for years to come.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of increases on the duty for non-draught alcohol on the scotch whisky industry.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The overall alcohol package within the recent Budget balances commercial pressure on the alcohol industry with the need to raise revenue to address the £22 Billion blackhole caused by the decisions of the previous government. Increases on duty are in line with inflation and under the previous Government, duty was increased by 10.1% following the duty review.
90% of Scotch Whisky is exported, paying no duty. To provide specific support to the Scotch Whisky industry, the government will reduce fees for geographical verification.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he next plans to meet the Scotch Whisky Association.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
I have had several meetings with the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) in recent months, including during my first week in office, and am pleased to be working closely with them on a range of shared priorities.
I will be driving growth in Scotland around the world through the Brand Scotland initiative, and will work closely with the SWA to promote the UKs largest food and drink export across all four corners of the globe.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to promote (a) Scotch whisky exports and (b) other Scottish exports.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The recent budget saw the Scotland Office awarded 750 thousand pounds to expand its international trade activities and establish the Brand Scotland initiative.
Brand Scotland funding will support industry via trade missions, projects delivered by the overseas network, and promotional events in the UK and overseas. The Scotland Office routinely promotes Scotch Whisky at events we run overseas, for example during my visits to Norway, and South East Asia this month. Scottish exports, including whisky, will all benefit from this work.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the scotch whisky industry on barriers to business.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
I meet regularly with the Scotch Whisky industry, and am pleased we can work closely on a range of shared priorities to support growth in the sector.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the increase in alcohol duty on scotch whisky exports.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
90% of Scotch Whisky is already exported and therefore pays no duty. Increases on duty are in line with inflation and under the previous Government, duty was increased by 10.1% following the duty review.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support the Scotch whisky industry.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
DBT leads a whole of Government effort, working with devolved governments and the sector to support this important industry, which exported £5.6bn of Scotch Whisky worldwide in 2023. We boost exports by leveraging trade agreements and removing barriers. For example, in August we announced the recognition of the Scotch Whisky Geographic Indicator in Brazil, valued at £25m over five years. We will continue to spotlight Scotch Whisky at global trade shows in key markets, including a spirits trade mission to India in November. The Export Academy food and drink programme, launched in October, offers dedicated upskilling to both emerging and experienced distilleries.
Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment his Department has made of the value of the Scotch whisky industry to the economy.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
According to research published by the Scotch Whisky Association, the Scotch Whisky industry contributed £7.1 billion to the UK economy in 2022, supporting 66,000 jobs across the UK. Scotch Whisky is also the UK’s leading food and drink export, with exports valued at £5.6 billion in 2023. My department continues to support this economically vital industry by opening new markets, tackling trade barriers and challenging unfair trade practices around the world to maximise international opportunities.
Asked by: Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat - Orkney and Shetland)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the impact of the increase in alcohol duty for spirits introduced in 2023 on the Scotch whisky industry.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
On 1 August 2023, spirits duty rates were increased in line with inflation, after 6 years of consecutive freezes. Duty is currently frozen until 1 February 2025.
The Government is closely monitoring the impact of the recent reforms and rates that took effect on 1 August 2023.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events.