Fraser Grieve

Government & Business Relations | Public Affairs | Strategic Campaigns and Communications | FCIPR | MCIM

[Fraser Grieve @frasergrieve]

Will the PM shoot Wes’ fox during their coffee this morning?

[Fraser Grieve @frasergrieve]

If Burnham wants a timetable that allows him to become Labour leader, how would he ensure his premiership would survive his first electoral test of not losing the Manchester Mayoralty?

[Beth Rigby @BethRigby]

Allies of Burnham tell me this morning a timetable of electing a new Labour leader and PM by conference end of Sept would give the Manchester mayor enough time to get back to Westminster and stand. “Colleagues will not accept another London leader”

[Fraser Grieve @frasergrieve]

What is it he would hope to look back on as his achievements? Two years in there’s no sense of purpose with the previous missions abandoned. Perhaps if he had a purpose it wouldn’t seem so pointless.

[The Observer @ObserverUK]

I want 10 years in No 10 and will fight my challengers, says @Keir_Starmer

In an interview with @RSylvester1, the prime minister sets out his project of ‘renewal’, which includes a scheme to open up Europe for young people, admits Labour needs to act on its election drubbing, and questions donations to Reform and Nigel Farage
https://t.co/AEIq9tUnuv

[Fraser Grieve @frasergrieve]

Good to see pets are now safe.

[Fraser Grieve @frasergrieve]

@HarrogateSpring I’m surprised you’re allowed to keep animals, do you have a favourite pet to use?

[Fraser Grieve @frasergrieve]

Very sad to learn this earlier. He was a major figure in my life and someone who will be missed by so many. A contribution to public life that would be hard to match.

[LBC News @LBCNews]

Former Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Lord Jim Wallace, who served as Scotland's first-ever deputy first minister, has died as a result of complications after surgery, his family has said.

[Scotch Whisky Association @ScotchWhiskySWA]

🆕 SWA Chief Executive @MarkAGKent responds to today's damaging hike in excise duty, saying "Put simply, the government cannot expect the Scotch Whisky sector to just keep delivering growth, both at home and on the world stage, if the conditions which support growth are not nurtured."

Read the full statement 👉 https://t.co/ZmhsZ08aHm

[Graeme Littlejohn @littlegrumpyG]

Budget week.

Some things to look out for in relation to excise duty on #ScotchWhisky...

[Graeme Littlejohn @littlegrumpyG]

The last set of spirits revenue data before next week's @hmtreasury Budget was published by @HMRCgovuk this morning

Spirits revenue down by 7% in first 7 months of 2025/26 compared to 2024/25

Spirits have seen sharper losses than any other alcohol category

The trend is clear - the tax burden on #ScotchWhisky must fall to raise revenue and boost growth

[Scotch Whisky Association @ScotchWhiskySWA]

This week @Keir_Starmer said that "It is important we do everything we can to support whisky". In next week's #AutumnBudget, we're looking to @RachelReevesMP and @HMTreasury to deliver immediate and effective relief Scotland's national drink with a multi-year freeze on spirits duty. This is the UK Government's opportunity to protect jobs, boost growth, and #SupportScotch 🥃
➡️ https://t.co/ExT72tvaPd

[Scotch Whisky Association @ScotchWhiskySWA]

Thank you Torcuil Crichton MP for supporting the #ScotchWhisky industry by raising our ask on excise duty at today's #PMQs.

A multi-year freeze on spirits duty will support the government's growth ambitions, and give Scotch Whisky producers the stable environment to invest and grow 🥃 📈

[Graeme Littlejohn @littlegrumpyG]

Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer says "it is important we do everything we can to support whisky."

@Torcuil asks the Chancellor @RachelReevesMP to deliver the @hmtreasury Budget equivalent of a lob from the half way line by freezing duty on #ScotchWhisky next week...

[Graeme Littlejohn @littlegrumpyG]

In the coming weeks there will be a lot of focus on forecasts, modelling and predictions for future revenue growth.

In her recent pre-Budget speech, @RachelReevesMP said "the OBR rightly make their predictions based on the data that has gone before, but I do not believe that our past has to determine our future."

In relation to spirits revenue, the past 25 years tells a clear story. When spirits, like #ScotchWhisky, are supported through duty freezes and cuts, revenue increases at a faster rate than through RPI, or even RPI+, duty increases.

The strongest periods of revenue growth over the past 25 years have been between 1999 and 2007, when a multi-year freeze was implemented by then Chancellor Gordon Brown, and between 2014 and 2022, when duty was stable, giving distillers confidence to invest and grow.

The weakest period of revenue growth has been in the last two years, with spirits revenue flatlining despite a cumulative 14% duty increase.

For spirits revenue, the past should determine the future. The evidence is clear - if @hmtreasury wants to grow revenue, it should freeze duty on #ScotchWhisky and other spirits, and give the industry the stability it needs to be an engine of growth.

[Graeme Littlejohn @littlegrumpyG]

Two weeks until @hmtreasury Budget

Two weeks to make the case to Chancellor @RachelReevesMP to #SupportScotch and freeze spirits duty

A thread on why she should, and critical that she does

🧵1/11

[Fraser Grieve @frasergrieve]

"Making that strong case for Scotch Whisky is more important than ever".

Let's #FreezeDuty and #SupportScotch

🥃👇

[Alistair Carmichael MP @amcarmichaelMP]

Glad to join @DavidMundellDCT and Alister Jack in a cross party call from former Secretaries of State for Scotland, for the government to #SupportScotch and hold off a hike in spirits duty.

[Scotch Whisky Association @ScotchWhiskySWA]

"With one voice we want to be clear, as we were with the Exchequer Secretary today - now is not the time to raise excise duty."

Together, we stand with @beerandpub, @NACMCiderMakers, @SIBANational, @SpiritsAlliance, @wine_gb, and @wstauk calling for the Chancellor back our sector and give us the confidence to invest, create jobs and return to growth.
https://t.co/9CrcaeHP2w
👇

[Scotch Whisky Association @ScotchWhiskySWA]

"Industry thrives on both certainty, and stability"
🎙️ On the latest @jimmysjobs, SWA CEO @markagkent explains how a freeze on spirits duty in the #AutumnBudget for the course of this next Parliament will allow #ScotchWhisky producers to plan and invest in their businesses and communities.

Listen to the full episode on @spotify or wherever you get your favourite podcasts 👂 https://t.co/bY0a0ET71M

[Scotch Whisky Association @ScotchWhiskySWA]

Ahead of today's meeting with the Exchequer Secretary @Dan4Barnet, SWA CEO @MarkAGKent is calling on @HMTreasury for the #ChancellorsChoice: increase revenue, protect jobs and grow the economy with a freeze on spirits, or raise excise duties and compound the headwinds faced by #ScotchWhisky producers and the wider supply chain, while reducing cash flow into the Treasury

👉 https://t.co/9CrcaeHP2w

[Graeme Littlejohn @littlegrumpyG]

Great to hear at @MaureenBurkeMP join @GMBScotOrg and Scottish business organisations call on @RachelReevesMP to freeze #ScotchWhisky duty in the @hmtreasury budget

The @ScotchWhiskySWA campaign is backed across Parliament, across parties, and by the public 👇

[Fraser Grieve @frasergrieve]

A reminder that last year’s rise in excise duty on spirits lost the government revenue and fuelled inflation and government borrowing costs. Let’s not repeat that choice and #freezeduty

[Pippa Crerar @PippaCrerar]

Tuesday’s @guardian front page: Reeves paves way for tax-raising budget with ‘tough choices’ talk https://t.co/gUKFcfvoXN

[Campaign for Pubs @CampaignforPubs]

🆘 #pubs need meaningful support in the #Budget, we’ve written to the Chancellor @RachelReevesMP urging her to #saveourpubs.

#Pubs need DIRECT support ✅

NOT #beerduty cuts that don’t help pubs or customers & funnel millions to offshore corporates ❌

https://t.co/beDbZJICGI