Tax on whisky was scraping the barrel

Business leaders' joint plea

- CRAIG MEIGHAN

BUSINESS leaders across Scotland are calling on the Chancellor to "back Scotch whisky" and cut alcohol duty.

Rachel Reeves has been urged to lower the tax on spirits after the last Government raised it by 10.1 per cent last year.

In a letter to the Treasury, the Chancellor was told last summer's increase had a "damaging impact" on Scotland's national drink.

It was signed by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scotland Food and Drink, UK Hospitality Scotland and the Institute of Directors and Prosper.