There was no time left for partying as the Chancellor rushed in an extra penny on a pint of beer and 4p on a 75cl bottle of wine. Budgets often allow people a final weekend to drown their sorrows or stock their cellars but in this time of austerity the higher duty was imposed from midnight.

Industry experts suggested that the increase in beer was more likely to be 5p a pint to cover cost of updating tills, and also forecast a further decline of the British pub – already six a day are closing – claiming that 75,000 jobs in the sector are at risk.

Drinkers can also expect to pay an extra 5p on a bottle of sparkling wine, champagne and fortified wines, and there is no respite for whisky tipplers or the gin and tonic set – prices for 70cl spirits bottles are to rise by 13p or 14p.

Smokers were hit immediately last night when the price of 20 cigarettes went up by 7p, 25g of hand-rolling tobacco went up 7p and an extra 3p was added on the price of a pack of five cigars.

Alistair Darling said the increases would raise an extra £6 billion over the next three years. The rises were intended to secure the country’s economic future “and to provide help for people now when they need it most”.

The decision to press ahead with alcohol increases of 2 per cent above inflation was a blow to the beer industry, which has mounted an Axe the Tax campaign.

David Cameron, the Conservative leader, said it “was going to hit every drinker in every pub. These aren’t taxes for the few, they are taxes for the many.”

A recent poll found that 59 per cent of the House including 41 per cent of Labour MPs, had opposed the increase.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) were dismayed that their concerns were ignored but Alcohol Concern suggested that the higher prices would ease the strain on the NHS.

Mark Hastings, of the BBPA, said: “The Budget signs the death warrant for thousands of British pubs and for tens of thousands of British jobs.”

Mike Benner, of Camra, said that the duty increase would lead to more drinking of cheap alcohol in the streets.

Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said: “At a time when the Government is offering other industries a helping hand, it is extraordinary that it wishes to hurt the drinks industry.”

Mr Darling faced particular ire in his Scottish homeland. Gavin Hewitt, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “A duty increase during a recession is a real blow and follows last year’s 18 per cent duty rises on Scotch, the largest since the 1970s.”

Angus Robertson, SNP leader at Westminster, said: “Yet again the UK Government is treating the whisky industry as a cash cow. It is a disgrace.”