Spirits duty ‘leaves us fighting with one hand behind our back’

DISTILLERS’ dreams of cracking international markets are being thwarted by repeated hikes to spirits excise duty, it has been warned, as the November Budget races closer.

- By David Williamson CHIEF POLITICAL COMMENTATOR

Chancellor Rachel Reeves must confront the fact British booze should be “dominating the world” but is held back by a punishing tax regime, say industry leaders.

MPs across the political divide will unite this week to launch a report detailing the obstacles facing the sector as UK growth flatlines.

Mike Cunliffe, director of Cornwall's Pocketful of Stones distillery, said: “The UK should be dominating the spirits world globally, especially with gin and whisky.