Britain's biggest manufacturing union, Unite, has come out in strong support of the Axe the Beer Tax - Save the Pub campaign.

With 20,000 members in related trades, the union is a big voice in the industry.

This is the statement issued by the union:

"Unite has many thousands of members dependent on a thriving brewing industry for their livelihood and we are happy to campaign alongside supporters of the Axe the Beer Tax campaign to try to persuade the Government that urgent action is essential if we are to stop the decimation of pubs in the UK.  The reasons for the current rate of closures are many and complex, but meaningful engagement must start now if we are to protect jobs and stop further closures."

As the budget approaches, the campaign is building more momentum every day. Thanks to Unite for getting right behind us.

So far, over 10,000 emails have been sent to MPs and over 20,000 people have signed up to the campaign to halt the Chancellor's plans to impose further tax on beer and pubs. As a result of your lobbying, over 120 MPs signing EDM 10 "Save the Great British Pub" in support. 

But we must keep up the pressure.