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2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: WSTA chief Miles Beale

Published:  25 December, 2014

Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine & Spirits Trade Association, says the industry's progress against the Responsibility Deal is something to shout about. Meanwhile he's gearing up the pre-Budget Drop the Duty campaign and planning to engage with government after 2015's General Election.

Miles BealeMiles BealeMiles Beale

Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine & Spirits Trade Association, says the industry's progress against the Responsibility Deal is something to shout about. Meanwhile he's gearing up the pre-Budget Drop the Duty campaign and planning to engage with government after 2015's General Election.

How was 2014 for you/your business?

2014 was another tough trading year for the wine and spirit sector but despite this there are indications that confidence is returning to the industry and there is plenty to be optimistic about. From a WSTA perspective securing the abolition of the alcohol duty escalator and the spirits duty freeze in the March Budget, which spared our industry £175 million in additional duty payments, was a highlight. We also led moves to stabilise and lower the prices of packaging waste recovery notes (PRNs), reducing a significant burden on the industry by an estimated £83 million. We hope those achievements will help us to be even better supported and achieve even more next year.  

What do you think were the most significant things that happened/ issues/trends that occurred in 2014?

In terms of trends, the continuing fall in alcohol misuse amongst young people is particularly encouraging. The industry also made significant progress on its commitments to work with government through the Responsibility Deal to promote responsible drinking and tackle alcohol misuse. The fact that 91% of labels now contain a warning about drinking when pregnant, up from 18% in 2008, and the industry vastly exceeded its target to remove 1 billion units of alcohol from the market by 2015, two years ahead of schedule show government(s) that that by working with industry you can achieve real progress, more quickly and at less cost.

What opportunities are you most looking forward to working on in 2015?

Championing the 'Drop the Duty!' campaign www.droptheduty.co.uk and engaging with government after the 2015 General Election. Both are opportunities for the industry to make a positive case on the incredible contribution that this sector makes to the UK.     

What are the biggest challenges facing the trade in 2015?

While the General Election is an opportunity for the industry to make a positive case about its contribution it will also likely to lead to growing calls for even more restrictions on the industry. We will need to ensure that as an association we are continuing to support our members through the patchwork of regulation and bureaucracy that they have to deal with. That's why we will be launching our manifesto with our key asks of government in early 2015 to highlight the contribution that this sector makes and the potential it has to build on this contribution.  

What are you doing for Christmas and New Year?

Spending time with family.

What will be your favourite tipple over Christmas and New Year?

I have a 'no favourites' policy...!

Favourite Christmas film?

Sideways (probably) 

What do you want most from Father Christmas?

Whatever my children have asked for!

New Year's resolution?

Leave no MP un-contacted in pursuit of 2% cut in duty on wine and spirits. While this is an ambitious ask there is real potential to build on the momentum of last year's campaign but we need your support to make this happen. And we want to reach out to current non-members, including independent wine & spirits merchants and English wine producers, whose voices we want to amplify - to their benefit and the wider benefit of the trade.

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