Andrew Bowie has been elected by colleagues as a vice-chair of the Scotch Whisky All Party Parliamentary Group.
This group, chaired by North East Fife MP Wendy Chamberlain, works to promote and facilitate communication and understanding between representatives of the Scotch Whisky industry and Members of Parliament. The industry has a strong presence in the North East of Scotland and in West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine. Distilleries like Royal Lochnagar and Fettercairn support hundreds of jobs both directly and indirectly in the constituency whilst also boosting our local tourism and hospitality industries.
Recent data revealed that the Scotch Whisky Industry contributes an estimated £7.1 billion to the UK economy with £5.3 billion of that generated in Scotland. It also accounts for 77% of Scottish food and drink exports whilst supporting 66,000 jobs across the UK.
Andrew is joined on the APPG by fellow vice-chairs MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey Graham Leadbitter and MP for West Dumbartonshire Douglas McAllister.
