Bosses will closely follow the Spring Budget for any announcements on business rates ahead of changes coming into force in April.

The Chancellor Philip Hammond has been under increasing pressure to adjust proposed plans to alter the tax on premises for companies.

He may use his first full budget since the Brexit vote to make changes to the tax.

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Follow our live blog of the Spring Budget 2017 here

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A decision on plans for a new Lower Thames Crossing – creating a tunnel to Essex to the east of Gravesend – may also be on the cards.

The Government has been considering the results of a consultation on the £5 billion plans since March last year, in which more than 47,000 submitted their views.

Yesterday the Prime Minister said the Budget would be used to announce millions will be spent on creating 140 new schools, including a raft of new grammars.

Charlie Elphicke, the Dover and Deal MP, said new grammars need not adversely impact on the viability of non-selective schools.

For Kent County Council, the Budget will be carefully scrutinised for help to meet the spiralling costs associated with adult care.

The Government failed to address concerns about the increased burden facing local authorities and was criticised for failing to do so in the Autumn Statement.

Since then, it has permitted councils to raise more money through extra council tax levy but that has failed to satisfy its critics.

Much of the increased income will be spent on meeting the additional costs of rises to the national living wage, which comes into effect this April.

However, many bosses will be most concerned about the business rate reforms – based on more recent property prices – whichy will mean rates increase in more than 800 towns and villages across the UK, with some firms facing increases of 42%.

It will also create a postcode lottery across the county, with a small shop in Rochester High Street seeing the tax increase by £455 but an equivalent firm in Margate paying £93 less.

Last month, Kent County Council's economic's chief Cllr Mark Dance called for a “smoother escalator” for large businesses when reforming business rates.

Research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) suggests more than a third (36%) of small firms expect to see their business rates increase.

David Milham of the FSB Kent Steering Group said: “The business rates system is an unfair, regressive tax which hits small firms before they’ve had the chance to make their first £1 in turnover, let alone profit.

“The business rates system is an unfair, regressive tax which hits small firms before they’ve had the chance to make their first £1 in turnover, let alone profit..." - David Milham, FSB Kent Steering Group

“This is particularly true in Kent where we urge the Chancellor to raise relief thresholds as part of his Spring Budget.

“This will help protect hundreds of small businesses currently left out in the cold.”

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce chief executive Jo James added: “Rising business concerns demonstrate the urgent need for action on business rates in the Budget.

“The UK had the highest business property taxes in the developed world even before the recent revaluation – hammering firms with sky-high costs before they turn over a single pound.

“This undermines business investment, which in 2016, fell for the first time in seven years.”

Clive Stevens, chairman of accountancy firm and financial advisors Kreston Reeves, which has three offices in Kent, said the Chancellor will need to use “sleight of hand” to increase tax receipts as the economy prepares for life post-Brexit.

He said: “I expect to see further pressure on the self-employed, those working in partnerships or small limited companies as the Chancellor moves to further take away tax advantages they are seen to have over the employed.

“It is hard to see much good news for many owner-managed businesses when this is viewed alongside measures such as the apprenticeship levy, increases to the national living eage and changes to dividend reliefs.

“Although some relief may come in the form of a rethink over the new punishing business rate increases.”

Follow the Chancellor's budget live, with in-depth analysis and how it will affect Kent.