Eighty per cent of MPs believe the current system of business rates is "not fit for purpose and in need of fundamental reform".
That's according to new research published today by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which also found that 93% agree that "reform of business rates is an important area for the future success of the high street and town centres".

The BRC says the results of the poll demonstrate the emergence of a cross-party consensus on the need for reform, and the organisation is calling on party leaders to support change in the run-up to next year's General Election.

The BRC is now publishing Manifesto Milestones, the next step in its campaign to see the complete overhaul of the UK business rates system by 2017. The BRC has previously highlighted the impact the current business rates system has on the retail industry's ability to invest and create employment opportunities.

The BRC is pushing for the total amount of business rates to be reduced; for business rates to flex with overall economic performance, as other taxes do; for rates to be shared equitably across the economy; and for the system to have positive incentives to encourage energy efficiency.

Commenting on today's report, BRC director general Helen Dickinson said: "It's no longer an option to say that fundamental reform is too difficult or complicated - that particular ship has sailed. The challenge for politicians is to show us all how they're going to embrace the task of reform and deliver, with us, a system that is fit for the 21st century."

Nick de Bois, the Conservative MP for Enfield North and member of the All Party Retail Group, added: "The present business rates system is archaic and flawed. Often business rates exceed rents and are not linked to business performance.

"The government have eased rates for many small business but these measures are only temporary fixes. We need structural reform and the BRC have made a useful contribution to this policy debate."