THE Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has responded to the Chancellor’s decision to further increase duty on Scotch whisky, saying it will put "additional pressure on a sector suffering job losses, stalled investment and business closures".

The Chancellor’s decision to raise alcohol duty in line with inflation has been called a “sad day” for the nation’s distillers, pubs and wider hospitality sector.

Alcohol duty normally rises in line with the Retail Price Index from September – which was 4.5%.

Industry leaders had urged the UK Government to freeze duty in this year’s Budget, arguing members were still reeling from the tax hikes introduced in February, and the additional burden of the new glass tax.

However, when the duty increases kick in next year, wine and spirit prices will have r

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