diff --git a/.mergify.yml b/.mergify.yml
index 8941711a9..f49144113 100644
--- a/.mergify.yml
+++ b/.mergify.yml
@@ -150,3 +150,14 @@ pull_request_rules:
         labels:
           - automatic backport
           - merge-queue
+
+  - name: backport patches to 2.30
+    conditions:
+      - label=backport 2.30-maintenance
+    actions:
+      backport:
+        branches:
+          - "2.30-maintenance"
+        labels:
+          - automatic backport
+          - merge-queue
diff --git a/.version b/.version
index 6a6900382..bafceb320 100644
--- a/.version
+++ b/.version
@@ -1 +1 @@
-2.30.0
+2.31.0
diff --git a/maintainers/release-process.md b/maintainers/release-process.md
index f2c61302b..37b38fb9f 100644
--- a/maintainers/release-process.md
+++ b/maintainers/release-process.md
@@ -39,10 +39,6 @@ release:
 * Proof-read / edit / rearrange the release notes if needed. Breaking changes
   and highlights should go to the top.
 
-* Run `maintainers/release-credits` to make sure the credits script works
-  and produces a sensible output. Some emails might not automatically map to
-  a GitHub handle.
-
 * Push.
 
   ```console