Alexander defends pension changes against strike threats

The government is to say for the first time that it plans to link the public sector retirement age to the state pension age, which is to rise to 66.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander told BBC Breakfast the deal, which will be based on workers' average salaries, is "a very fair and balanced offer".

He went on to defend the changes against union strike threats, saying he was seeking to "protect high quality pension schemes for people who spend their lives working for the public".