A new survey of MPs has found that the majority wants a freeze on business rates next year. 

MPs and the BRC want to stop the clock on business rate rises. 

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) commissioned a poll of 106 Members of Parliament between October 23 and November 12 2012, which revealed that two thirds support a freeze, and that it is supported equally by Conservative and Labour MPs. 

The BRC is now calling on the Chancellor not to increase business rates in April 2013. 

The poll also revealed that 66% of MPs think we should move to a “fairer and more predictable” system for setting increases in rates as a matter of urgency, and that 66% also believe high streets in their constituencies have deteriorated noticeably in the last five years. 

In addition, the BRC says that while retailers are contributing voluntarily towards £168m of investment by BIDs many high streets still need an urgent re-evaluation covering what they offer, how they are marketed and the vision for their future.