Small businesses want lower business rates and a delay to the off-payroll rules extending to the private sector in next month's Spring Budget.

A report from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) claimed new chancellor Rishi Sunak has a chance to "illustrate his support" for SMEs.

Sunak succeeded Sajid Javid as chancellor last week, following a cabinet reshuffle that saw Javid resign without delivering a budget speech.

Wider reform of business rates was expected after Javid already halved bills for small shops, cafes, music venues and cinemas.

A report into the off-payroll rules extending to the private sector is expected to be published in the next week.

As it stands, every medium and large private-sector firm will become responsible for setting the tax status of any contractor they use from April.

Mike Cherry, chairman at the FSB, said:

"It's vital that the cost of doing business, specifically when it comes to business rates, protecting incentives to grow, and accelerating the delivery of key infrastructure commitments are delivered sooner rather than later.

"Self-employed people will be looking for a Budget that shows this Government is on their side, and the results of the investigation into IR35 which they hope will see a delay in the rollout from April."

Follow our coverage of Spring Budget 2020.