In addition to the reduction in beer duty—which amounts to a single penny off of every pint— Osborne will scrap the “unpopular” escalator for all alcohol duties. Laws preventing the sale of alcohol below minimum tax rates will remain in effect.

Osborne said: “This helps prevent supermarkets undercutting pubs, and helps stop problem drinking. It’s a far more targeted approach than the alcohol escalator hated by many responsible drinkers.”

He continued: “Pubs saved. Jobs created. A penny off a pint for the second year running.”

Duties on alcohol will now increase with inflation, with several exceptions.

Osborne will also freeze duties on Scottish whiskey and ordinary cider. The freeze is to support  the “huge British success story” of Scotch and to help West Country cider makers hit hard by recent weather.