Francis Maude warns against strike action over pensions

Unions have been warning that strike action over planned changes to public sector pensions could still go ahead at the end of the month, despite an improved offer from the government.

Under the new proposals, workers retiring in the next ten years would not see a fall in their payments. The TUC has welcomed some of the plans, but has said they are not yet enough.

Speaking at a news conference at the Treasury, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude MP said he hoped the unions would ''think very carefully'' about the consequences of taking industrial action.