Unite’s rejection of government pension scheme

Another group of public sector workers has rejected the government's plans to change their pension scheme.

Leaders of the Unite trade union have rejected the revised offer outlined in December by Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: "Our senior representatives believe they have no choice but to reject the 'principles document' after Eric Pickles claimed the unions had made commitments which have not been fully discussed.

"There now needs to be genuine discussions without arbitrary deadlines."

Last year the government started on negotiations to implement a two-stage plan to knock billions of pounds off the long-term cost of providing pensions for public sector staff employed in the civil service, NHS, local government and education.

The strategy is a centre-piece of the coalition's attempt to rein in the government's spending deficit.