Drinks industry takes its case to Westminster and urges MPs to Call Time on Duty

MPs from all parties came to talk to key figures of the wine and spirits industry last night at a special House of Commons event to publicise the Call Time On Duty campaign to try and get the Chancellor to freeze the alcohol duty escalator in the 2014 Budget.

Rolling update: Key drinks figures tell MPs about the damage duty increases have on UK businesses

Leading figures from across the UK wine and spirits industry joined the trade lobby that took the Call Time On Duty campaign to MPs at the House of Commons last night.

?Let's finally Call Time On Duty: how to get involved

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association is leading a new campaign, Call Time On Duty, aimed at persuading George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to scrap the duty escalator on wines and spirits. Here's how you, your business and your customers can get involved.

WSTA refutes 'cosy relationship' between drinks industry and government

WSTA calls on government to freeze duty on all alcohol

Scotch Whisky Association appoints new chief executive

Beer lobby steps up campaign to see beer duty rates frozen in 2014 Budget

The UK pub and brewing sector has stepped up its efforts to see another freeze in beer duty rates in the 2014 Budget just days after the wine and spirits sector has called for the same treatment by the Chancellor.

Scotch Whisky Association sets up £500,000 to help alcohol-related harm

The Scotch Whisky Association has launched a £500,000 action fund to tackle alcohol-related harm.

Q&A: Jamie Walker, commercial director, EWG

Laura Heywood meets the distributor's commercial director to hear about the company's plans for the future

The Benevolent: Chairman Chris Porter speaks out

As this is my first ever Benevolent column I thought it would be fitting to start with some "Benevolent basics". I'm aware from discussions I've had around the trade that not everyone understands the work that is done by our trade charity. I have heard it suggested that it's "something to do with old people" or "we've heard of it but are not really sure what is does or who it helps".

WSET appoints two new trustees

Andrew Hawes, the managing director of Mentzendorff, and global drinks consultant Jonathan Driver have been appointed as WSET trustees.

The Benevolent receives healthy donation from Vintners

The wine and spirit trades' charity, The Benevolent, has received a cheque for £9,000 from the master of the Worshipful Company of Vintners following the New Year wine trade lunch at Vintners' Hall in January.

Laura Jewell MW appointed WSET chairman

Laura Jewell MW is to become the first female chairman of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), taking over from the current chairman Bill Page.

At Your Service events - August and September

Find out more about all the latest on-trade events for August and September.

WSET iPhone app notches up 3,000 downloads

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust Wine Game iPhone app, which launched on May 22 and tests players by placing wines in their respective countries, has passed the 3,000 download mark.

Amorim becomes patron of WSET

Cork producer Amorim has become a patron of the worldwide Wine & Spirit Education Trust and will help fund an expenses-paid study scholarship to Portugal.

Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino to join WSET patron scheme

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust WSET, has announced the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino joined its Corporate Patron scheme.

New chief executive for the Benevolent

The Benevolent has appointed Paul Newman, who joins from a health care charity, as its new chief executive.

The Restaurant Show calls for registration

The Restaurant Show 2011 has announced a call for registration to this year's three-day event to be held in October at Earls Court.

National Wine Month 2012 to kick off with major event

Building on the success of May's inaugural National Wine Month, next year's will kick off with a major event, and be fronted by a mainstream personality.