Public sector unions sign pension agreements

Several unions have signed or are expected to sign agreements with the government over public sector pension reform today.

Late last night the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) signed an agreement, and the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers (NASWUT) are said to be likely to follow.

An initial agreement between the government and union bosses representing NHS and local government was reached yesterday.

The details of the deals have not yet been confirmed.

However, NHS workers were previously offered a deal which lifted all employees earning less than £26,000 out of any contribution increase next year.

There are rumours local government pension scheme members (LGPS) have been offered a deal where members will not pay additional employee contributions in exchange for a cut to employer contributions.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union is the only body so far to reject the government's offer for civil service pensions out of hand and is still threatening further strike action.

Chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander will make a statement on the negotiations this afternoon in Parliament.