Engagement
SWA aims to promote and facilitate communication and understanding between the industry members and various government departments.
Scottish Parliament
The SWA is active in the Scottish Parliament, ensuring that views across the industry are understood and taken into consideration by MSPs and Ministers.
This includes important issues like infrastructure, digital connectivity, environmental protection and tourism.
Westminster
The SWA has a permanent office in the heart of Westminster to ensure that industry priorities are understood by Members of Parliament and various UK government departments.
As we represent a global industry, the SWA ensures that MPs and Ministers understand the Scotch Whisky industry’s global trade priorities and often travel with UK government delegations to key global markets.
Tax on Scotch Whisky in the UK is also controlled by the UK government. The SWA campaigns for fairer tax on Scotch Whisky in our home market.
Cross Party Group (CPG)
The Cross Party Group (CPG) on Scotch Whisky promotes a better understanding of the Scotch Whisky industry to members of the Scottish Parliament. The industry is key to Scotland’s economy through exports, employment and tourism, but also plays an important role in achieving Scotland’s ambitious environmental targets and tackling alcohol misuse.
This group provides the forum to discuss these important issues with MSPs from all parties alongside key people from within the Scotch Whisky industry.
For information on issues relating to Scottish Parliament:
Please contact: Susanne Cameron-Nielsen, SWA Head of Engagement
All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Scotch Whisky aims to promote and facilitate communication and understanding between representatives from the Scotch Whisky and spirits industry and Members of Parliament at Westminster.
In 2019 we celebrated Scotch Whisky and the industry's contribution to the Scottish and UK economies with MPs at the House of Commons.
For information on issues relating to Westminster and the UK Government:
Please contact: Fraser Grieve, SWA Deputy-Director, Strategy & Communications
Why #SupportScotch?
The Scotch Whisky Association represents an iconic domestic manufacturing industry with global reach. With over 90 member companies representing over 95% of production – from small, family businesses to international brands – we are the voice of strategically important sector for the Scottish and wider UK economies.
The Scotch Whisky industry
- Exports 53 bottles of Scotch Whisky per second, worth £6.2bn in 2022
- Adds £5.5bn in Gross Value Added to the economy
- Supports over 42,000 jobs across the UK, including many in rural parts of the country
- Invests over £1.8bn in our UK-wide supply chain
Engagement news & commentary
‘Keep The Commitment’ Campaign Launched Following Tax Hike in Budget
The Scotch Whisky industry calls on the UK government to uphold their pledge to “ensure the tax system is supporting Scottish Whisky”
SWA comments on SNP leadership election results
Following the outcome of the SNP leadership elections, the SWA has congratulated Humza Yousaf
MPs and MSPs visit Scotch Whisky sites as part of Countdown to COP Open Day
Marking 100 days to go until COP26, MPs and MSPs around the country visited Scotch Whisky sites to learn more about the industry's sustainability ambitions.
100 Days Until COP26: Scotch Whisky Sites Showcase Sustainable Scotch
Scotch Whisky sites have opened their doors to showcase the industry's sustainability efforts, 100 days ahead of COP26.
Scotch Whisky Industry Sets Out Manifesto Ahead of Scottish Parliament Election
The Scotch Whisky industry has launched its manifesto for the Scottish Elections on 6th May.
Scotch Whisky Industry Seeks Clarity on Business Support
The Scotch Whisky industry is seeking urgent assurances from Ministers on aspects of the government's business support package, announced last week as a result of the economic disruption being caused by COVID-19.
Trade bodies urge end of tariffs on transatlantic whiskies
Spirits trade associations on both sides of the Atlantic have united to urge US and UK governments to remove tariffs on whiskies.
Scotch Whisky's key priorities in the 2020 Scottish Budget
The Scotch Whisky Association has laid out the five priority areas for the Scottish Government to support the industry in the forthcoming Scottish Budget on 6th February