GMB: We should be nothing but proud of Scotland’s drinks industry

 Scotland’s drink industry is a global success story but treated like a shameful secret, according to GMB Scotland.

GMB Scotland warned the STUC Congress in Dundee that huge economic benefits and thousands of jobs were being jeopardised by tax rises and an apparent disdain for the drinks business across civic Scotland.

The union, one of the biggest in brewing, whisky and spirits, ministers on both sides of the border to ease the tax burden on alcohol and help retool official attitudes to an industry that is a cornerstone of Scotland’s economy.

It warned the drinks industry has become "a political football in a public health debate” coloured by middle-class sensibilities.

Why, the union asked, are fans allowed to drink at rugby games but not lmatches, for example, suggesting only working class supporters cannot be trusted to drink sensibly.

GMB Scotland delegate Bill Miller told the Congress in Dundee how Scotch whisky, for example, is not only a national icon but one of Scotland’s most important exports.

He said: “Every year, billions of pounds of Scotch whisky is sold abroad to underpin thousands of highly skilled and well-paid jobs in Scotland.

“These jobs bolster the local economies in rural areas across the Highlands, islands, and Speyside and our towns and cities where whisky is matured, bottled and packaged.

 “Its success and all the jobs that go with it cannot be taken for granted, however. Whisky is likely to be the most taxed item in our shopping baskets with £12 of every bottle going to the Exchequer.

“This is in large part due to the Tories’ parting shot at Scotch with a 10% increase in spirit duty in 2023.

“Given that government's record, it is not surprising to learn the tax hike not only created an unlevel playing field for producers but actually hit tax revenue from spirits duty that fell by £255 million in the following 12 months.”

The  union warns measures such as Minimum Unit Pricing and a series of public health campaigns to reduce Scots drinking is undermining the industry by deterring the vast majority of Scots who drink in moderation.

The union did not ask delegates to vote on its motion urging ministers to reverse tax increases; seek to keep whisky tariff free; and end the ban on alcohol at football.