The Government could be left to intervene to settle the thorny issue of business rates tier splits under 75% retention, The MJ understands.

Attempts to thrash out how two-tier areas will split the cash is expected to take place throughout the spring and summer, with County Councils' Network (CCN), District Councils' Network (DCN) and related treasurers groups due to meet the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to discuss the issue of tier splits in a reformed system.