Ahead of the Budget, there was fierce lobbying from businesses and backbench MPs for the Chancellor to ease the burden from higher business rates.

The Chancellor says the tax brings in £25bn a year, so he can't abolish the rates. But he unveils three measures to help those affected:

1 No business losing small business rate relief will see their bill increase next year by more than £50 a month

2 90% of local pubs will have a £1,000 discount on their business rates bill

3 A £300m fund for local councils to offer discretionary relief for hard-hit cases