Ministers in England are considering plans to devolve some of the money raised through business rates to regional mayors, as part of a wider effort to give local areas more control over public services and budgets. The proposals are being developed by the local government secretary, Steve Reed, who says the government is working on options to hand over “billions of pounds” collected via business rates. The move is described as part of one of the largest changes to the English tax system in recent years. It is also framed as supporting additional devolution in areas that may include justice, health and education, alongside local decision-making. The business rates system has recently faced criticism and protests from businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, including pubs, over the impact of the tax. Details reported so far focus on the intention to devolve funding rather than specifying how it would work in practice, which taxes would be included, or the timetable for any changes. No final policy decision is reported in the available coverage.