Pubs and beer producers have welcomed the “draught relief” announcement in the Chancellor’s Budget, though some doubted it would have a meaningful impact on the sector. Rishi Sunak told MPs in his Budget speech that duty rates for draught beer and cider will be cut by 5%, taking 3p off a pint in a pub. Taxes on sparkling wine and some lower-strength products will also be cut as part of a huge overhaul of the UK’s alcohol duty system. Sunak also said the planned increase in duty on spirits such as Scotch whisky, wine, cider and beer will be cancelled from midnight, which alone will represent a tax cut worth £3 billion. The Treasury said it will slash the number of main duty rates from 15 to six as part of the reforms, which will come into effect in Feb. 2023. Brewers hailed the announcement as a boost to an …