The price of a pint will be left alone in the Budget on Tuesday to give hard-pressed consumers some reprieve in the current cost of living crisis.
However, while punters will be able to enjoy a pint for the same price this week, if they go out for a smoke it will cost them more as the tax on fags is set to be hiked up again, by an expected 50c a pack.
There will be no added pain for motorists as the taxes on fuel will not go up, with cuts on excise introduced last April set to continue past February, at least.