The government should help businesses by freezing the minimum wage, rather than going ahead with its current plan to convert empty high street shops into social centres, according to the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC).

"Freezing the national minimum wage and cutting burdensome regulation, making it easier for firms to employ people, will help our high streets remain vibrant and successful. It will be business that drives the UK out of recession so real support with cash-flow is needed," said David Frost, director general of the BCC.

The government has recently unveiled a £3m funding plan to help communities reduce the negative impact empty shops have on the high street, in a bid to lift business confidence.