The Federation of Small Businesses has renewed its call for reform of business rates.
The FSB used a letter to the chancellor to explore options such as widening the retail discount for high street stores to help them survive the current slump in trade and competition from the internet.
It also called for Small Business Rates Relief to be increased from £12,000 to at least £30,000.
The FSB said: “Business rates reform must be a priority. This unfair, regressive tax – which hits firms before they’ve made their first pound in turnover.”
