In a statement to the House of Commons, Exchequer secretary to the Treasury James Cartlidge laid out a plan designed to reassure pubs, distilleries, and breweries as they face a challenging period ahead.

While new duty rates usually come in on 1 February each year, Cartlidge said that this year the duty rates decision will be held until the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivers his Spring Budget on 15 March 2023.

The minister made clear that if any changes to duty are announced at the Budget, they will not take effect until 1 August 2023. This is to align with the date historic reforms for the alcohol duty system come in, and amounts to an effective six month extension to the current duty freeze.