In a new report published by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), we learn that the Scotch whisky market has fallen by five percent in the UK this past year, says The Scotsman. According to the report, the number of 70cl bottles sold in the UK last year fell 4.78 percent to 83.3 million from 87.5million in 2013. The trade organization Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) believes that one of the factors contributing to this decline is the 78 per cent tax on whisky, which has always been one of the major drivers of the Scottish economy.
According to a survey performed by the SWA, two out of three people in the UK aren’t even aware of the high taxes they pay on a bottle of Scotch. SWA chief executive David Frost called for action: “In next week’s Budget the Chancellor has the perfect opportunity to support an important UK industry. He should cut spirits duty by 2 per cent. This move would also benefit consumers and public finances.”
On top of serving as a major export success for the UK, the Scotch whisky industry adds a value of £5 billion to the UK every year and supports more than 40,000 jobs, which are especially needed in rural areas. [The Scotsman][Photo: Flickr/Yves Cosentino]