DCLG permanent secretary Sir Bob Kerslake has told an influential Parliamentary committee that councils would be able to 'come together to manage fluctuations of business rates' under proposals contained in the Local Government Resource Review.

Addressing the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday, the former chief executive of Hounslow LBC, maintained it is not an ‘especial objective' of the formula grant to close inequality gaps. He said that for historical reasons, current arrangements are designed to place a higher emphasis on funding stability.