A Scottish health body has told Rishi Sunak he should "stand firm" on implementing a tax hike on the Scotch whisky industry. A blanket freeze on alcohol duty comes to an end in August, increasing by 10.1 per cent. He also said Mr Yousaf’s stance is "inconsistent" with the Scottish Government’s aim of using minimum unit pricing to reduce alcohol harms. “Whisky duty is at the lowest level it has been at in real terms in about 100 years, as well as the fact we have been able to open up export markets around the world for fantastic Scotch whisky." Recent research estimated it has helped reduce alcohol sales to their lowest on record, saved hundreds of lives and is having an effect in our most deprived areas.

Source: Express May 11, 2023 13:17 UTC