The Conservatives will ensure retail and other industries’ concerns are properly reflected in the Department for Business by the re-establishment of sector specialist teams, shadow business and enterprise minister Mark Prisk has said.

Prisk told Retail Week that a Conservative government’s priority would be to balance the country’s books, but feared next year would be tough for retailers and said an incoming government’s hands would be tied by what it inherited.

He refused to rule out an increase in VAT above 17.5% but opened the door to a future rethink on the business rates system, although he said nothing can be done about the implementation of the 2010 revaluation.

He said: “The business rate is a critical issue. My problem is, if elected, we inherit a set of circumstances so what we could do would be very limited.”

However, he insisted that a new government would listen to the concerns of retailers.

Prisk said: “I want to put the sectors back into the business department. I’d like to see sector teams that are strong in depth and understand what’s going on. One of the reasons I suspect retailers feel neglected is there’s no constancy.”

He also pledged to help revive ailing high streets by, for instance, promoting best practice from successful regeneration schemes and striking the right balance between retail and leisure.