Call for support in opposing whisky levy

A potential new tax on Highlands and Islands whisky producers has been criticised by Scottish Conservative MSPs Donald Cameron and Jamie Halcro Johnston.

 

Reports suggest senior representatives within the Scottish Government want to impose a fresh levy on the industry to raise funds for the public purse. The suggestion will be considered by the SNP at its October conference.

 

However, Mr Cameron has appealed to deputy First Minister John Swinney to rule out the move which he says would be 'damaging' and was causing anxiety to a sector which is already dealing with significant challenges.

 

'Thousands of people are directly employed by the sector, including in the Highlands and the Western Isles,' he said.

 

'Last year it provided £5.5 billion of GVA to the UK economy and accounted for three-quarters of Scottish food and drink exports.

 

“With that in mind, and considering the amount of tax that Scotch whisky already accounts for, I find it unbelievable such a policy would be proposed.'

 

Mr Halcro Johnston, the Scottish Conservatives business and tourism spokesman, has also condemned the proposal as an attack on jobs and an iconic Highlands and Islands industry.

 

'Across the world, Scotch whisky is prized as one of Scotland’s great products with a global reach,' he added.

 

'To propose a new levy on a sector which already makes a significant contribution to the public purse but which is just seeing the first shoots of growth in several years, is scandalously short-sighted.

 

'If passed by the SNP at its conference, this wrong-headed proposal would have a real impact on the jobs, businesses and tourism that whisky supports in the Highlands and Islands.

 

'From Lochaber to Speyside, Skye to the Northern Isles and across the region, whisky is a part of our heritage. But it is also a significant contributor to our local economy and one of our biggest exports.'

 

Both Highlands and Islands MSPs are urging all SNP MSPs and MPs from across the region to condemn this move and oppose it.

 

Photograph: Scottish Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston, centre), on a recent visit to Ballindalloch Distillery. NO_F32_WhiskyTax_JamieHalcroJohnston_Ballindalloch photo