Scotch whisky fills up UK economy by £5bn every year

New research from the Scotch Whisky Association suggests at least £5bn per year is created from the alcoholic drink, supporting more than 40,000 jobs in Britain.

The vast majority of that figure is concentrated in Scotland, with £3.2bn being directly generated in the region, along with an extra £1.5bn of "indirect and induced effects".

The report from the SWA also found that the Scotch whisky sector was the largest net exporter of any British industry, with £3.9bn being raked in with sales of the spirit every year.

"In 2015, the UK exported more than £266 billion worth of goods (excluding oil) and imported over £378 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of almost £112 billion," the report said. "Without the positive impact which Scotch provides, the balance of trade deficit in goods would have been £115.5 billion."

The SWA also called on the government to reduce the tax on individual bottles of whisky which are exported out of the country, which currently sits at 77%.

"Scotch Whisky is one of the UK's most strategically important industries," said acting chief executive Julie Hesketh-LAird.

"Without valuable Scotch exports of around £4 billion a year, the UK's trade deficit in goods would be 3% larger. And our research published today emphasises the value of the industry which adds £5bn to the economy annually and supports more than 40,000 jobs."