The prime minister-in-waiting has pledged an overhaul of business rates if he enters Downing Street in a bid to boost 'family-owned businesses'.

Those calling for council tax and stamp duty to be ditched and replaced with a new system have been buoyed by Andy Burnham's likely appointment as Prime Minister

Forecasts by global tax firm Ryan suggest proposals could lift more than 140,000 additional small premises out of paying business rates.