RETAILERS being hammered by Government taxes could be given a helping hand - after Worcester’s MP stepped up his efforts to investigate the issue.

Robin Walker has met with the British Retail Consortium to see if any changes need to be made to the current system.

At the moment central Government manages business rates, rather than councills, meaning there is no local flexibility over making city, county or region-wide changes to boost the economy.

Mr Walker sits on the House of Commons’ Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee, and is using the role to call for changes.

The retail consortium, which represents shops, has also secured his backing to investigate business rates to see if a new system can be created that will get the blessing of ministers.

Mr Walker is now calling for shops in Worcester to contact the consortium direct to pass on their ideas for change.

The select committee is expected to step up its work in the weeks ahead by calling in ministers to grill them on business rates.

Mr Walker said: “I’m very pleased with the progress that has been made so far in the cross-party select committee inquiry into the retail sector, and I’m looking forward to questioning ministers on some of the issues that have been raised in the weeks ahead.

“I am hopeful that we will be able to make some strong recommendations across a whole range of issues about how to help and strengthen the high street and support retail in the 21st century.

“I’m delighted the consortium is launching a proper research process to look into the options for real reform of business rates.

“I’ve long been concerned about some aspects of the existing system and I think it is absolutely right to look at what can be done to improve it.”

The move comes after a report by the Confederation of British Industry which suggested high street trade has stalled in recent weeks.

A survey of UK retailers last month suggested sales are flat compared to last year, despite the economy generally starting to improve.

Worcester has continued to weather the storm despite concerns over the St Martin’s Quarter shopping complex off City Walls Road having 15 empty units.

Helen Dickinson, from the British Retail Consortium, said: “We’ve been saying for some time that tinkering with the existing business rates system, which is no longer fit for purpose, is not the answer.”