Talks held over pensions action

Ministers have put forward new measures as they attempt to prevent a huge public sector pensions strike from taking place, sources have said.

The Government made the points in a meeting with leaders from the country's main unions, with sources suggesting a number of options were raised regarding the plans to increase public sector pension contributions.

Under the new points, workers planning to retire in the next decade would not be hit by the widespread pension reforms, the sources suggested. They also revealed plans to boost accrual rates.

Unions caught up in the debate over the proposed pension reforms will now discuss the Government's latest moves, according to TUC general secretary Brendan Barber.

Mr Barber said after an hour-long meeting with Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander and Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude: "The ministers set out a number of new points for us to consider."

Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Chancellor George Osborne said the deal offered to workers in the public sector would be "fair".

Copyright © Press Association 2011