The much-delayed report by Sir Michael Lyons into local government funding has been delayed again, and is now expected to be published by the March Budget. The delay of the report, which was due to be completed this month, was announced in the small print of the pre-Budget report.

The government has asked Sir Michael, a former chief executive of Birmingham city council, to review his recommendations in the light of three other reports published in the past week: Sir Rod Eddington's on transport, Kate Barker's on planning and Lord Leitch's on skills.