Whisky Slump Brews on back of Budget

The husband of Labour leader Wendy Alexander has predicted sales of Scottish whisky could slump as a result of changes introduced in the Budget.

Professor Brian Ashcroft claimed that measures announced by Chancellor Alistair Darling would translate into a 10% price rise for spirits, compared to a 5% increase for beer and 4% for wine.

And he suggested that could see a drop of about 9% in sales of whisky and other spirits.