The Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP) has appointed Kieran Healey-Ryder as its first ever chairperson. As part of the new role, Healey-Ryder, who is currently global head of communication at Whyte and Mackay, will be responsible for representing the distillers, brewers, retailers and hospitality venues that are part of SAIP.  The partnership aims to unite the industry in promoting responsible drinking and…

The government has proposed to increase the abv threshold for low/no drinks in a move to make alcohol-free products more widely available. Currently, only drinks with an abv below 0.05% are considered alcohol-free in the UK. This threshold sits at 0.5% abv in countries such as Belgium, Portugal, Germany and the US.  The UK is now looking to adopt a new product…

The Scottish government has proposed an increase in the Minimum Unit Price (MUP) for alcohol, as ministers look at the future of the scheme. Last week, Elena Whitman MSP, minister for drugs and alcohol policy, set out a consultation for the continuation of MUP, as well as future pricing. MUP, implemented in 2018 at 50p per unit, is subject to a sunset clause and will…

A new trade association has launched in the whisky sector to protect people who buy and sell casks. The Cask Whisky Association is made up of two boards of members and advisors, including cask whisky businesses, distilleries, independent bottles and whisky experts, alongside legal and insurance professionals. Chairman of the advisory board and spokesperson, Colin Hampden-White, said the CWA’s goal is to uphold the overall…

The chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has said the trade group is “hell-bent on trying as hard as we can” to ensure the temporary arrangement for wine duty becomes a permanent move. Speaking at the Specialist Importers Trade Tasting (SITT) in London, Miles Beale told an audience of independent retailers, producers and importers that the WSTA is working to ensure…

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has urged energy regulator Ofgem to act quickly to enact recommendations and ensure businesses avoid another winter energy crisis. Responding to Ofgem’s non-domestic market review consultation, the BBPA supported most measures put forward by the regulator, but stressed the need for urgency if brewers were to avoid the threat of “sky-high energy costs” again this coming winter. The…

The drinks industry has praised watchdog Ofgem’s latest review for highlighting recent behaviour of energy suppliers, which has left some businesses unable to secure contracts. Based on information collected from Ofgem’s stakeholders, the non-domestic market review found that at certain points throughout 2022, the majority of suppliers did not offer fixed term contracts to businesses, with some ceasing to offer any contracts for…