Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to reduce beer duty.

The government keeps all taxes under review as part of the Budget process, and we will continue to evaluate all alcohol duties, including beer duty, to ensure they are fair and efficient.

This government remains clear in its support for consumers, pubs and breweries, and we have taken action to this end – meaning that the price of a pint of beer is 12p is lower than it otherwise would have been since 2013/14.

However, we cannot ignore the cost to the Exchequer of successive freezes – equal to over £4 billion since 2013/14. Any assessment of the merits of further freezes or cuts needs to consider the resulting reduction in funds available for vital public services.