11 September 2026
First Minister backs Scotch Whisky Industry call for excise duty cut in UK Budget
First Minister John Swinney MSP
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has publicly called on the UK Government to support the Scotch Whisky sector and its Scottish supply chain, including hospitality venues and consumers with a cut to spirits duty in next month’s Autumn Budget.
The call comes after the First Minister met with the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA)’s Council of member companies.
In the SWA’s Autumn Budget submission to the Treasury earlier this week, the SWA called on the Chancellor John Healey to cut excise duty on spirits, 70% of which are produced north of the border, and for whom hospitality businesses rely on for over a third (38%) of their total profits. This is part of a call from spirits producers of all categories across the UK.
The SWA has previously highlighted the “continued pressure” that the sector remains under following more than six years of turbulence across its export markets, alongside cost pressures for businesses and consumers. It called the current alcohol duty system, which unfairly taxes Scotch Whisky and other spirits up to four times more than beer, cider and wine, “a broken model for Scotland”. The submission highlighted that the 17% increase to excise duty in the last three years had led to a fall in Treasury revenue whilst adding to the challenges faced by spirits producers in Scotland and across the UK. This in turn affects supply chain from the farmers who grow the grain to the hospitality venues which serve the drams and cocktails.
During 2026, improvements to market access in key export destinations such as the United States and India have been welcomed by the industry. To maximise this global opportunity, and to bring back the benefits to communities across the country, the industry asks that domestic policies nurture this foundation for recovery and growth.
First Minister John Swinney said: “It was a pleasure to join the SWA for their Council discussions today.
“Scotch Whisky is a cornerstone of Scotland's culture, heritage, economy and global identity. This Government stands shoulder to shoulder with this industry, supporting thousands of jobs and standing proudly as a symbol of Scotland's reputation around the world.
“Today I've heard directly from major producers to smaller distillers. It is clear that duty rises have placed undue pressure on the industry and I echo calls for the UK Government to address this unfairness.”
Mark Kent, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “We are grateful for the support of the First Minister and his team in backing an iconic Scottish industry like Scotch Whisky, and its partners in Scotland from farmers to hospitality venues and tourism. We welcome their recognition that a cut to excise duty in the Autumn Budget would have a tangible impact on Scotch Whisky producers large and small by allowing them breathing room to look to the future, invest in innovation and expansion, and support jobs - something which can only help boost growth across Scotland and the wider UK.”
--ends
Notes to editors
For more information contact pressoffice@swa.org.uk
Images from the First Minister’s meeting with the SWA Council can be found [here]
The Scotch Whisky Association’s submission for the 2026 Autumn Budget can be found in full here.
On a visit to the Isle of Harris distillery on 9 April 2026, the First Minister said “we’ll always stand up for Scotland’s whisky industry.” Social media post here.