Ministers have today promised a ‘radical review' on business rates could change how firms across England pay the levy on non-domestic property.

Among key elements of the wide-ranging review the commission will examine the structure of the current system – established in 1990 and currently  affecting 1.8 million properties - and consider international best practice and ways of modernising the charge to reflect changes in the value of property since.

Questions of fairness and sustainability and the use of the mechanism to improve local authority incentives for boosting local economic growth will also be raised in the consultation, which was published on the Treasury's website today.