CHANCELLOR DARLING BUCKLES IN WHISKY U-TURN 26th Nov2008.

DARLING ON THE ROCKS OVER WHISKY U-TURN

CHANCELLOR BUCKLES 48 HOURS AFTER PBR

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP has today (Wednesday) welcomed news that the Treasury has tabled a new order to cut an 8 per cent whisky tax increase, announced in the Pre-Budget Report. It is understood that the PBR duty increase will be cut by half to 4%.

Mr Robertson, whose Moray constituency produces more than half of Scotland's malt whisky, said:

”Clearly, I welcome the fact that the Treasury has buckled in the face of the outcry from the whisky industry and the SNP over the last 48 hours.

”It confirms just how much of an afterthought the whisky industry was to the Chancellor that he took such a reckless decision in the first place.

”The decision to cut the increase by half is certainly welcome, but it does not reverse the massive tax increase the industry has been hit with between the Budget and the Pre-Budget Report.

”The way in which the Pre-Budget Report is unravelling is indicative of the disgraceful and dithering way the UK Government is responding to the economic crisis, bringing chaos and confusion where we need certainty and clarity.

”The wheels are coming off the Pre-Budget Report, and serve as a perfect illustration of why the Scottish Parliament should be responsible for all tax and spending decisions in Scotland.”