Support for the Scotch Whisky Industry Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Seamus Logan
Main Page: Seamus Logan (Scottish National Party - Aberdeenshire North and Moray East)Department Debates - View all Seamus Logan's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Support for the Scotch Whisky Industry
Seamus Logan Excerpts(1 week, 4 days ago)
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Graham Leadbitter
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for making that point, which I will come on to a little bit later in my speech.
In 2022, Scotch whisky distilleries attracted 2 million visitors, making them the most popular tourist attraction in Scotland. Between 2018 and 2022, the industry invested £2.1 billion in capital projects, with many more such projects in the pipeline as we speak.
Seamus Logan (Aberdeenshire North and Moray East) (SNP)
Does my hon. Friend agree that it is perplexing to see the Prime Minister commit that he will
“back Scotch producers to the hilt”
—I believe those were his words—while enforcing the highest excise duty in the G7 on Scotch? Surely now is the time for the Prime Minister to back up his words with action.
Graham Leadbitter
I agree entirely with those sentiments. Again, I will touch on that issue shortly.
The success of the Scotch whisky industry relies on firm foundations and support. Support can take many forms, and I will endeavour to outline the key areas in which the UK Government can take positive and beneficial action. First, on trade, securing beneficial free trade agreements is absolutely paramount. For example, a free trade agreement with India that reduces the 150% tariff on Scotch whisky could generate up to £1 billion in additional exports over the next five years and create 1,200 jobs. We must also continue to strengthen our trade relationships with the US, recognising the significant investment that the Scotch whisky industry already brings to the US economy.