Skip to the content Scotch Whisky Association Newsroom Insights Join Us Discover Who We Are Contact us Member login Home Insights Engagement Engagement Engagement SWA aims to promote and facilitate communication and understanding between the industry members and various government departments. Scottish Parliament The SWA is active in the Scottish Parliament, ensuring that views across the industry are understood and taken into consideration by MSPs and Ministers. This includes important issues like infrastructure, digital connectivity, environmental protection and tourism. In the 2021 Scottish Election, the SWA asked all candidates to Support Scotch and commit to the Scotch Whisky industry's six point manifesto. Learn more about the industry's Scottish Election campaign here. Cross Party Group (CPG) The Cross Party Group (CPG) on Scotch Whisky promotes a better understanding of the Scotch Whisky industry to members of the Scottish Parliament. The industry is key to Scotland’s economy through exports, employment and tourism, but also plays an important role in achieving Scotland’s ambitious environmental targets and tackling alcohol misuse. This group provides the forum to discuss these important issues with MSPs from all parties alongside key people from within the Scotch Whisky industry. Learn more For information on issues relating to Scottish Parliament: Please contact: Susanne Cameron-Nielsen, SWA Head of Engagement Westminster The SWA has a permanent office in Knightsbridge Green, London to ensure that industry priorities are understood by Members of Parliament in Westminster and various UK government departments. As we represent a global industry, the SWA ensures that MPs and Ministers understand the Scotch Whisky industry’s global trade priorities and often travel with UK government delegations to key global markets. Tax on Scotch Whisky in the UK is also controlled by the UK government. The SWA campaigns for fairer tax on Scotch Whisky in our home market. All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Scotch Whisky aims to promote and facilitate communication and understanding between representatives from the Scotch Whisky and spirits industry and Members of Parliament at Westminster. Learn more In 2019 we celebrated Scotch Whisky and the industry's contribution to the Scottish and UK economies with MPs at the House of Commons. For information on issues relating to Westminster and the UK Government: Please contact: Fraser Grieve, SWA Deputy-Director, Strategy & Communications 2020 and beyond In the UK General Election of December 2019, we asked all candidates to #SupportScotch by signing up to five commitments which will boost the Scotch Whisky industry, our workforce and communities across the UK. We're delighted that key MPs from all parties have committed their support to our industry manifesto, and we look forward to working with them in the coming years. Learn more about the value of the Scotch Whisky industry and its supply chain - for exports, tax revenue, employment and growth - below. Why #SupportScotch? The Scotch Whisky Association represents an iconic domestic manufacturing industry with global reach. With over 70 member companies representing over 90% of production – from small, family businesses to international brands – we are the voice of strategically important sector for the Scottish and wider UK economies. The Scotch Whisky industry Exports 41 bottles of Scotch Whisky per second, worth £4.7bn in 2018 Adds £5.5bn in Gross Value Added to the economy Supports over 40,000 jobs across the UK, including many in rural parts of the country Invests over £1.8bn in our UK-wide supply chain With over three years of Brexit uncertainty costing the industry tens of millions of pounds, a high domestic tax burden stifling growth, and a 25% tariff levied on single malt Scotch Whisky and liqueurs in our largest global market, our industry now more than ever needs the support of UK MPs. Engagement news & commentary 24 July 2021 MPs and MSPs visit Scotch Whisky sites as part of Countdown to COP Open Day Marking 100 days to go until COP26, MPs and MSPs around the country visited Scotch Whisky sites to learn more about the industry's sustainability ambitions. Read more 23 July 2021 100 Days Until COP26: Scotch Whisky Sites Showcase Sustainable Scotch Scotch Whisky sites have opened their doors to showcase the industry's sustainability efforts, 100 days ahead of COP26. Read more 01 April 2021 Scotch Whisky Industry Sets Out Manifesto Ahead of Scottish Parliament Election The Scotch Whisky industry has launched its manifesto for the Scottish Elections on 6th May. Read more 23 March 2020 Scotch Whisky Industry Seeks Clarity on Business Support The Scotch Whisky industry is seeking urgent assurances from Ministers on aspects of the government's business support package, announced last week as a result of the economic disruption being caused by COVID-19. Read more 28 January 2020 Trade bodies urge end of tariffs on transatlantic whiskies Spirits trade associations on both sides of the Atlantic have united to urge US and UK governments to remove tariffs on whiskies. Read more 21 January 2020 Scotch Whisky's key priorities in the 2020 Scottish Budget The Scotch Whisky Association has laid out the five priority areas for the Scottish Government to support the industry in the forthcoming Scottish Budget on 6th February Read more About the SWA Who we are Members Directory Contact Get in touch Privacy Policy Subscribe to mailing list Sign-up The Scotch Whisky Association Edinburgh HQ: Quartermile Two, 2 Lister Square, Edinburgh EH3 9GL E: info@swa.org.uk | T: (+44) 131 222 9200 Follow us twitter linkedin instagram Cookie Notice Find out more about how Accept Cookies