Successive budgets have hit beer with above inflation tax increases. Now the signs are that George Osborne plans a 20 per cent increase in VAT in the emergency Budget which would have the same effect.

The Back the Pub campaign is mobilising its 100,000 supporters to lobby their MPs ahead of the Emergency Budget to prevent this tax hike from happening.

The new Parliament, with 226 new MPs and Labour now in opposition, provides fresh opportunities for the campaign to build support against potentially devastating tax rises. 140 of the new intake backed the campaign as candidates and now the campaign will ensure that they are honouring their commitment now they are MPs.

Supporters can now click here to lobby their MP directly ahead of the Emergency Budget. All that is needed is a postcode and email address.

This generates an e-mail to their MP asking them to sign EDM 42 on pubs and to write to the Chancellor supporting a freeze in beer duty, and, if there is to be a VAT rise, a cut in beer tax to help pubs.