‘Drop the Duty’ campaign awarded

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s ‘Drop the Duty!’ campaign has won the Trade Body Campaign of the Year at the Public Affairs Awards.

Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (left) with David Frost, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association (right) launching its ‘Drop the Duty!’ campaign

The ceremony last week, presented by Sky News’ Adam Boulton, praised the campaign for securing “the best government Budget for the wine and spirit industry in almost 20 years”.

This year’s Budget cut duty on spirits by 2%, and froze wine duty. It is estimated these actions could save the industry £100m.

“We are delighted to have won such a prestigious award,” said Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

Writing to MPs, presenting independent research and gathering cross-industry support were just a few of the ways the WSTA worked to convince Chancellor George Osborne to cut excise duty.

Mr Beale added: “We are proud of the best Budget result for the industry in almost two decades, and the vast benefits that this result has already delivered.”

This cut has actually increased how much money the government has made from alcohol duty, the WSTA said.

Between April and September the Treasury received £146m more than during the same period in 2014.

At this rate, wine duties could rise to £4bn in 2015/16 for the first time.

“The Chancellor was right to listen,” said Mr Beale. “We hope it’s the start of a new attitude to a great British industry.”

The WSTA represents over 340 companies producing, importing, transporting and selling wines and spirits.