ST HELENS Council says it has so far received "very little detail" on plans which will which will see local authorities able to set their own business rates.

On Monday, Chancellor George Osborne revealed plans for devolved business rates in England, enabling councils to to set their own business rates and be able to keep all of the revenue from them.

Currently, councils can keep up to 50 per cent of revenue business rates.

Mr Osborne referred to the move as the "the biggest transfer of power to local government in living memory".

On the announcement, a spokesman for St Helens Council said: “There is very little detail from the government on how the changes will be implemented – which is disappointing given the magnitude of the

announcement.

“The council hopes that the changes will be implemented fairly, accountably and equitably – and do not damage further our ability to deliver services to our residents.”