Neil Parish MP supports call for jobs and growth

Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton, attended an event at the House of Commons highlighting the new jobs and extra contribution to public finances that would be generated by scrapping the super tax on wine and spirits.

Organised by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, the event helped publicise independent research by Ernst & Young, which has found that 6000 new jobs would be created and an extra £230 million generated for the public finances if the super tax were scrapped in the March Budget.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association, the Scotch Whisky Association and the TaxPayers’ Alliance are all calling on the Chancellor to end what is known as the alcohol duty escalator. Since its introduction in 2008, the escalator has caused the tax on wine and spirits to rocket by 50% for wine and 44% for spirits.

Speaking after the reception, Miles Beale, Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said:  “We really appreciated [insert name] making the time to attend our event. It is really important that the Chancellor hears the message directly from MPs that scrapping this super tax would generate new jobs, especially in the SME sector, and extra money for the public finances.

"We aren’t asking for a favour or for extra money. We are just asking the Chancellor to be fair to a great British alcohol industry which supports almost two million jobs and and a wine and spirit industry which supported over £40 billion of economic activity in the UK last year.”

Neil Parish MP said: “At a time when money is tight, it’s good to hear of a positive step the Chancellor could take to unlock additional revenue to the Exchequer and create 6000 new jobs. And he can do it by cutting taxes. English wine, especially in the West Country, is seeing a renaissance, and I believe wine and spirit producers should be given the opportunity to thrive. I will be writing to him to ensure this important research by Ernst and Young is brought to his attention as a matter of urgency. It deserves careful consideration.”

Jonathan Isaby, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, which is backing the campaign, said: “When you buy an alcoholic drink you get hit by a triple whammy: VAT, duty and then VAT on the duty.

"Last year we successfully campaigned for a cut in beer duty, which had been an attack on anyone wanting an honest pint at the end of a hard day’s work. So now we are joining those calls to say ‘be fair, George’, what you did for beer drinkers last year you should do in March’s budget for those who appreciate a glass of wine or spirit. 

"Scrapping the duty escalator will help businesses up and down the country and provide benefits for the wider economy.”