date:Mar 18, 2013
The Scotch Whisky Association says it is time to call a halt to the excise duty escalator, which has now risen for five years.
It says the rise in duty, which has increased by 2 per cent above the rate of inflation for the last five years, is a burden on drinkers and is squeezing manufacturers in a key Scottish industry.
The duty has also come under fire from real ale campaigners, who say the above-inflation rise in duty on alcohol is having a devastating effect on the licenced trade.
Rosemar