New local government minister Rishi Sunak has affirmed the Government's commitment to introducing 100% business rates retention, after councils were given mixed signals from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

In a speech at Smith Square last week, in his first public appearance as local government minister, Mr Sunak said that, although the MHCLG has so far pledged to introduce 75% business rates retention, the aim is to eventually grant councils 100% retention.