By Laura McGuire Hard pressed publicans were thrown a lifeline today as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended the alcohol duty freeze until February 2025. In the final budget before the next general election he said the move would benefit 38,000 pubs across the UK. He said: “This benefits 38,000 pubs all across the UK – and on top of the £13,000 saving a typical pub will get from the 75 per cent business rates discount I announced in the Autumn. “We value our hospitality industry and we are backing the great British pub.” The freeze in duty was due to end in August but it now has been extended for a…