Francis Maude: Unions should call off strike

Ahead of Wednesday's public sector strike it has been revealed that key figures on both sides have not met since early November.

Speaking on the BBC's Politics Show, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude told TUC general secretary Brendan Barber: "Call it off now."

He said the two last met at the start of this month but added that talks in the dispute over public sector pension reforms had been ongoing for weeks.

Up to two million workers set to go out on strike, including teachers and border control staff.