Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of increasing spirit duty in the Autumn Budget 2026 on whisky distilleries in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency.

At Budget 2026 the Chancellor announced that Alcohol Duty rates will be kept constant in real terms by uprating in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) on 1 February 2027. Representations for a duty freeze, cut, and escalator were heard and considered prior to the Budget. Further information on the impacts of this measure can be found in the Tax Information and Impact note here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-alcohol-duty-rates-from-1-february-2027

Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at the link here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hm-treasury-ministerial-overseas-travel-and-meetings-january-to-march-2026