The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has praised the government’s decision to scrap a rise in spirits duty. 

The cancellation of planned increases to duty on spirits was one of a number of measures announced by chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng during a recent speech. HM Treasury has estimated the freeze will save the consumer GBP 1.35 on a bottle of spirit.

SWA announced that the freeze will help the industry as it deals with the dual challenge of rising energy costs and supply chain issues. SWA stated that the duty freeze will not only support Scotch whisky, but the hospitality industry and the wider economy.

Mark Kent, SWA chief executive, said: “The Prime Minister Liz Truss said that it was important to back the Scotch whisky industry to boost growth, and the government has delivered.”

Kent added: “Further action will be needed to bring down the 70 percent tax burden on Scotch whisky in the UK, which remains the highest in the G7 and one of the highest in the world. We look forward to working with the new HM Treasury team to ensure Scotch whisky can deliver investment, employment and growth in Scotland and across our supply chain.”