France cuts growth forecast to 2% from 2.5%

France has cut its forecast for economic growth next year following a meeting between the president and senior finance ministers.

It is estimated that the economy will grow by 2% in 2011, down from the previous forecast of 2.5%.

President Nicolas Sarkozy had asked ministers to interrupt their summer holidays to discuss how the country is going to cut its deficit and reform its pension system.

Christian Fraser reports from Paris.