DERBY North MP Bob Laxton has given his backing to a campaign calling on the Government to scrap empty property rates.

Mr Laxton has added his voice to the British Property Federation's push to persuade Prime Minister Gordon Brown to get rid of the tax, which sees firms pay rates on empty buildings.

Yesterday, the federation sent an open letter to Mr Brown, asking for a change in policy.

According to the federation, it is forcing businesses to demolish empty properties to avoid paying the tax.

It is also leaving large and small businesses facing bankruptcy.

The federation's chief executive, Liz Peace, said: "It's like making the unemployed pay income tax.

"Taxing hardship and business failure is a ludicrous way to help people through the hard times. Mr Brown must act now to undo this mess."

Rate relief was scrapped in April in a bid to raise £1.3bn.

Now some property experts believe the figure could rise to £2bn due to so many firms having vacant space.

The campaign has been backed by dozens of MPs, including Mr Laxton.

He said: "For the sake of regeneration and development, the Government needs to think twice about this ill-conceived tax."

As well as businesses, councils are being forced to spend tax-payers money on paying rates on empty council-owned properties.

According to the federation, Derby City Council has 54 empty properties, which amount to a rates bill of £112,030, to be paid.