The Treasury has confirmed Reeves will deliver the statement, providing an interim update on economic growth, in the House of Commons on Tuesday 3 March 2026.
It said: “As set out at the Budget, the Spring Forecast will not make an assessment of the Government’s performance against the fiscal mandate and will instead provide an interim update on the economy and public finances.
“The Government will respond to the March forecast through a statement to Parliament, in line with the commitment to deliver one major fiscal event a year at the Budget.
Growth mission
“This approach gives families and businesses the stability and certainty they need and supports the Government’s growth mission.”
This year’s Spring Forecast, which took place on Wednesday 26 March, did not include any major updates but voices from across the sector lamented the Chancellor’s lack of planning and reassurance for the sector following the address.
This comes almost four weeks after the Autumn Budget, which saw Reeves put in place a number of measures that have piled on the pressure for operators, including business rates increases and rising wage costs.
While the Spring Forecast will likely not include any changes to these measures, the Chancellor could address the impact of the Budget as part of the statement.
However, the contents of the speech have not been revealed by the Treasury and are unlikely to be set out before March.
Since the Autumn Budget, operators across the country have moved to ban Labour MPs from their pubs in a campaign that has gained national traction, including from ex-Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, since it was launched earlier this month.
The motion was started by publican James Fowler, who runs the Larder House in Southbourne, in protest of the business rates hikes announced in the Budget on Wednesday 26 November.
Pub closures
Last week, leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch also slammed Labour’s policies.
During Prime Minister’s Questions’ on Wednesday 17 December, Badenoch pushed Keir Starmer to admit the measures announced in the Budget had forced many pubs to close their doors for good.
She said: “The Prime Minister gave his word that he would help pubs, yet they face a 15% rise in business rates because of his Budget. Will he be honest and admit his taxes are forcing pubs to close?”
Starmer did not answer the question directly, but said the relief put in place during Covid had always been a temporary measure, adding Labour had introduced £4bn in transitional relief.
- Look out for The Morning Advertiser’s live blog during the Spring Forecast on Tuesday 3 March 2026. Sign up to our daily newsletter for the latest updates.
