Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to support (a) pubs and (b) breweries with increases in the cost of living.

On 19 December, the Government announced a six-month extension of the current alcohol duty freeze to 1 August 2023. Beer duty is now at its lowest level in real terms since the 1990s.

Through the alcohol duty reforms, which will be introduced on 1 August this year, pubs and breweries will benefit from a new Draught Relief, providing a duty discount for draught products under 8.5% ABV sold in pubs. Small to medium sized producers will also benefit from an improved Small Producer Relief, building on the existing Small Brewers Relief which the sector has benefitted from for over 20 years.

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will receive a tax cut worth over £2 billion in 2023-24. Eligible properties will receive 75% off their business rates bill, up to a cap of £110,000 per business.

Through the new Energy Bills Discount Scheme, all eligible businesses will receive a discount on high energy bills until 31 March 2024. The Government provided an unprecedented package of support through this winter, and we have been clear that such levels of support were time-limited and intended as a bridge to allow businesses to adapt.