Several trade associations have joined forces to call on the government to save small businesses from being wiped out by energy costs. In a joint letter to Angus MacNeil MP, chair of the newly formed cross-party Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, organisations including the British Beer and Pub Association, the Association of Convenience Stores and the Federation of Small Businesses have outlined the “unprecedented…

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has called on the UK government to rethink its plans to increase duty on spirits, while sharing figures that demonstrate the importance of spirits to the overall growth of the drinks industry.  As of August 2023, duty on spirits is set to rise by 10.1%, the trade group said. The SWA has strongly contested this increase, and has…

UK trade associations representing the alcohol and retail sectors have joined together to condemn the Scottish government’s proposals for a blanket ban on alcohol advertising and promotion. Nine trade bodies representing beer, wine, spirits and retailers, in addition to the Retail of Alcohol Standards Group (a panel of UK retailers), have signed a joint letter warning that, if the proposals go ahead, they will cause…

Small producers in Scotland do not have the means to meet the current deadlines for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), according to a group of trade associations. The Scottish Wholesale Association, the Society of Independent Brewers, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, the Scotch Whisky Association and Scotland Food & Drink have warned that without changes by the government to give small producers a legal…

With just one month to go, online registration for SITT Spring is open. The event, in association with Drinks Retailing and Harpers Wine & Spirit, is focused on the independent sector. SITT brings together the UK’s “best specialist wine importers” who are dedicated to supplying the independent on and off trades, organisers said. This year’s SITT Spring will feature 50 exhibitors with specialisms spanning across…

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and the Zero Carbon Forum have today launched an expanded roadmap for UK brewers to help the sector “decarbonise at pace” to reach net zero.  The roadmap, launched at the beginning of COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, is designed specifically for the brewing sector and provides guidance to support brewers on a pathway…

The government is now expected to deliver its Autumn statement on November 17, two weeks later than planned. In a Twitter post, HM Treasury said prime minister Rishi Sunak and chancellor Jeremy Hunt have agreed the delay. The statement will contain the UK’s medium term fiscal plan to “put public spending on a sustainable footing, get debt falling and restore stability”. The Office for Budget…