Higher spirits duty isn't delivering higher revenues 📉 and October 28 is @hmtreasury's chance to change this. Government's own data shows spirits revenue fell by £94 million in 2025/26, following a 17% increase in spirits duty over the last three years. Not only that, spirits revenues are now £1.1 billion lower than forecast when the new alcohol duty system was introduced in 2023. This evidence shows what happens when the duty burden becomes too high: Drink prices rise in pubs, bars and restaurants. ⬇️ Sales are squeezed. ⬇️ Treasury revenue suffers. HM Treasury now has the chance to create a fairer duty system that gives the spirits industry room to grow and invest, all while supporting a stronger, more sustainable tax base for the Exchequer.

“Completely baffling", is how TV presenter and pub owner James May describes the UK's alcohol duty system in @Telegraph 📰 With the #UKBudget fast approaching, the former Top Gear presenter is backing an @ASI proposal for @hmtreasury to address high taxation rates on spirits like Scotch Whisky - a campaign we're also behind 👇 telegraph.co.uk/politics/202…

🇮🇳 🥃 SWA International Director @IanDuddyUK and Head of Trade (APAC) Stuart Smith have been in India as part of the #UKGovernment trade delegation, building on the landmark UK-India Free Trade Agreement. The Scotch Whisky industry is proud to work in partnership with Government to showcase Scotch and boost our sector’s global export growth. We joined meetings with representatives from Defra including Secretary of State @angelaeagle MP, and @UKGovScotland Secretary of State @D_G_Alexander MP, as well as our counterparts in the Indian market @IswaiIndia.

📹 Today our Director of Strategy and Communications @littlegrumpyG, along with representatives of the @SpiritsAlliance and @wstauk, met with Financial Secretary to @hmtreasury James Murray. Listen as he explains why the #SpiritsSuperTax should be cut on 28 October 👇

72% of a bottle of #ScotchWhisky is tax 📈 That high duty puts extra pressure on distillers and their supply chains, when what's needed is support for businesses to invest in their products, their people and their long-term growth. 28 October is the opportunity to cut the #SpiritsSuperTax

🗨️ “When it comes to spirits duty, ‘the Gordon Brown approach’ is one [the #ScotchWhisky] sector holds up as a clear model of sensible policy in action... delivering increased revenue while supporting a home-grown industry with a supply chain that reaches every postcode.” Ahead of the #UKBudget on 28 October, catch up on yesterday's piece in @thetimes about why a cut to the #SpiritsSuperTax makes sense - for business and the public purse. thetimes.com/uk/scotland/art…

70% of UK spirits are distilled in Scotland🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 This makes a cut to the #SpiritsSuperTax on 28 October vitally important in generating growth right across the country 📈📈📈

Following an appeal lodged by the Scotch Whisky Association on 8th October in response to the recent approval of a Geographical Indication for English Whisky, the Irish Whiskey Association, Scotch Whisky Association and Welsh Whisky Association have released the following joint statement 👇

“What we’re seeing is a very difficult domestic situation.” 📺🥃 Did you catch our Chief Executive @MarkAGKent on @STVNews last week? Ahead of the #UKBudget on 28 October, Mark outlined the pressure of the #SpiritsSuperTax and why reducing the excise duty burden could help unlock investment, support jobs and communities. Read more 👉 bit.ly/3V9U9NY

📢 We're looking for a Business Support Officer (maternity cover) to join the Scotch Whisky Association at our Edinburgh office. This is a varied role spanning front of house, administration, finance support, meeting and project work across the SWA. 📆 Apply by 4 October bit.ly/4yhWDsg

“If you choose to have a dram, you’re paying far more in duty than if you choose to have a pint.” 💭 With the #UKBudget just weeks away, our Chief Executive @MarkAGKent explained why the current alcohol duty system isn't working for spirits on the @C2GWhisky podcast. 🎧 Listen here: apple.co/4xUzZFa

Our governing Council was delighted to meet @ScotGovFM @JohnSwinney today. The First Minister has pledged he will “always stand up for Scotland’s whisky industry” and we remain grateful for his steadfast support – including calling for the UK Budget to address the disparity on duty on #ScotchWhisky. Read more 🔗 bit.ly/4xPijeW

From grain to glass, your dram is the product of years of collaboration, craft and patience 🥃🌾

Our Chief Exec @MarkagKent joined International Director @IanDuddyUK, Deputy Strategy and Communications Director Innes Taylor, and Larry the cat 🐱, in Downing Street to discuss international trade and domestic support with the PM's top team. Close engagement with officials is essential to ensure the Scotch Whisky industry's domestic policies match its global ambitions.

Excise duty can be complicated but understanding how it works & the disproportionate burden placed on spirits, is essential if we’re going to get it right 🎬👉 Watch below as expert business & economics journalist @DouglsFraser dives into the world of alcohol duty for our new Excise Explainers series. With @hmtreasury evaluating the alcohol duty system, he delves into what needs changed to give the industry greater room to grow, invest and continue supporting the public purse.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Planning a trip to Scotland this summer? Why not add a #ScotchWhisky distillery visit to your itinerary? With more than 70 Scotch Whisky visitor centres across Scotland's five whisky regions, there's no better way to discover the craft, heritage and people behind our national drink. 🗺️ Start planning your Scotch Whisky adventure with our 2026 Distillery Map: bit.ly/4vIU54T

NEW: US tariffs on #ScotchWhisky have been removed following the exemption announcement in April this year, returning tariff free trade to our biggest export market 🇺🇸🥃 Our International Director @IanDuddyUK has called it "welcome news for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic". He said: "From Kentucky to Speyside, this will not only benefit the Scotch and US whisky sectors, but our wider supply chains of cooperages, farmers, hospitality and retail. "This outcome is testament to the strength of the enduring relationship between the UK and the US." Read his full statement here 👉 bit.ly/4fk72fV

Congratulations to @andyburnham MP on becoming the UK's new Prime Minister 🤝 Following his formal appointment today, our Chief Executive @MarkAGKent, shared his thoughts on the opportunities for his government to support Scotch Whisky 🥃 🗨️ Full statement here: bit.ly/4w7S2rn