Independent schools could have their charitable status removed in a wide-ranging review of business rates by the Scottish Parliament.

A new Bill, put forward by economy secretary Derek Mackay, recommends the schools should no longer be able to claim charitable relief, which would amount to £37m between 2020 and 2025.

Under the current system, independent schools with charitable status pay 20% of their rates bill, while local authorities have the discretion to charge them nothing at all.

The proposal is one of a number of reforms suggested in the Bill, which follows a review into the business rates system by former RBS chief Ken Barclay.

Others include compulsory valuations every three years, rather than the current five-year period, and tackling known tax avoidance, including tactics involving unoccupied or under-used properties.

A public consultation is now being held into the proposals, which will be examined by Holyrood's Local Government and Communities Committee.

Committee convener James Dornan said: "Non-domestic rates are the second highest revenue-raising tax in Scotland and these reforms could affect a great number of people.

"We are keen to hear the views of potentially affected organisations and members of the public about the proposed changes to the system, and whether the Government has addressed the issues raised in the Barclay Review.

"We also want to know if people think anything else should be included in this Bill or if more radical reform of the system is needed.

"We look forward to hearing what the public has to say and using the evidence to ensure our inquiry is as robust as possible."