We have so many brilliant pubs in the local area from The White Horse in Haslemere to Farnham’s William Cobbett, to ones in other parts of Surrey such as my own local the Merry Harriers in Hambledon. Pubs are at the heart of our social, cultural, and economic fabric as a country so it is right that we support them as much as possible.

That is something I have done as Chancellor.

In my recent Budget, I announced that alcohol duty would be frozen. That alleviates pressure on the hospitality sector, bringing down duty by 2p on a pint of beer 10p on an average bottle of wine.

If that sounds relatively small beer (sorry), in the Autumn Statement I also announced an extension to Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure relief in England. That cuts business rates for most pubs and restaurants by 75%, amounting to a discount of around £12,000 discount for an average pub.

We also provided significant support for businesses to help with energy bills in the aftermath of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

In my Budget last year I announced the Brexit Pubs Guarantee, which means that the duty on draught pints will always be lower than the duty in supermarkets. And Rishi Sunak last year announced an extension of the lockdown rules which allow pubs to sell takeaway pints and boost their income.

Why do pubs matter?

They are big contributors to our economy and a famous part of our culture. But even more they are one of the institutions that bind together communities at a time when loneliness and social isolation seems to be increasing.

After the work I have been doing on mental health issues with Revd David Uffindell that feels like something worth doing.