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Cameron to urge public sector staff to call off strike Cameron to urge public sector staff to call off strike
(about 1 hour later)
David Cameron is due to make another call for public sector workers to call off Thursday's strike over pensions.David Cameron is due to make another call for public sector workers to call off Thursday's strike over pensions.
Current pension arrangements are unfair on taxpayers, the prime minister is expected to tell the Local Government Association (LGA) conference later.Current pension arrangements are unfair on taxpayers, the prime minister is expected to tell the Local Government Association (LGA) conference later.
Up to 750,000 teachers and civil servants are set to strike on Thursday over pension plans they say will mean them working longer and paying more.Up to 750,000 teachers and civil servants are set to strike on Thursday over pension plans they say will mean them working longer and paying more.
There was no breakthrough in talks between ministers and unions on Monday.There was no breakthrough in talks between ministers and unions on Monday.
The government has insisted it has contingency plans in place to prevent any major disruption to essential services on Thursday, but Education Secretary Michael Gove has been criticised after suggesting that parents should go into schools to help keep them running.The government has insisted it has contingency plans in place to prevent any major disruption to essential services on Thursday, but Education Secretary Michael Gove has been criticised after suggesting that parents should go into schools to help keep them running.
The planned 24-hour walkout involves members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), the University and College Union and the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union.The planned 24-hour walkout involves members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), the University and College Union and the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union.
The action in England and Wales is expected to disrupt thousands of schools.The action in England and Wales is expected to disrupt thousands of schools.
'Among the best''Among the best'
After two hours of talks on Monday, TUC leader Brendan Barber said there were still major divisions between unions and the government over three key proposals - to raise the pension age, to increase workers' contributions and to link pension values to the generally lower consumer prices index (CPI) rather than the retail prices index (RPI).After two hours of talks on Monday, TUC leader Brendan Barber said there were still major divisions between unions and the government over three key proposals - to raise the pension age, to increase workers' contributions and to link pension values to the generally lower consumer prices index (CPI) rather than the retail prices index (RPI).
The Local Government Association is of course Conservative led.
But you wouldn't know that from the open hostility there has been at times between the organisation and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.
The big issue in this ongoing row is who to blame for cuts to services: Central government or some of the councils ministers say are still wasting too much money.
David Cameron's speech could mark what many in local government hope is an end to the war of words.
The PM doesn't want unnecessary battles either with unions or councils.
But strikes over pensions still loom large over this conference.
There's more common ground than there was a few days ago between council leaders and ministers.
But still significant disagreement over pension contributions, and the best way to try to resolve the dispute.
But Mr Barber welcomed the government's willingness to enter into separate discussions about the local government pension scheme, based on ministers' recognition that the funding of that scheme was different.But Mr Barber welcomed the government's willingness to enter into separate discussions about the local government pension scheme, based on ministers' recognition that the funding of that scheme was different.
More talks are due to take place next month. Public sector union Unison, which had threatened to ballot its 1.2 million workers for strike action if the latest talks proved unsatisfactory, said no ballot would be called at this stage.More talks are due to take place next month. Public sector union Unison, which had threatened to ballot its 1.2 million workers for strike action if the latest talks proved unsatisfactory, said no ballot would be called at this stage.
"I think we found today the government were willing to treat the negotiations seriously," said Unison leader Dave Prentis."I think we found today the government were willing to treat the negotiations seriously," said Unison leader Dave Prentis.
In a joint statement, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: "We believe both sides have a responsibility to see the talks through and we would urge public workers not to strike while they are ongoing.In a joint statement, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: "We believe both sides have a responsibility to see the talks through and we would urge public workers not to strike while they are ongoing.
"Public sector pensions will still be among the very best, with a guaranteed pension which very few private sector staff now enjoy."Public sector pensions will still be among the very best, with a guaranteed pension which very few private sector staff now enjoy.
"We are proposing they will be paid later because people live longer and that public sector staff will pay more, for a fairer balance between what they pay and what other taxpayers pay.""We are proposing they will be paid later because people live longer and that public sector staff will pay more, for a fairer balance between what they pay and what other taxpayers pay."
'Lose faith''Lose faith'
Meanwhile, speaking at the conference in Birmingham later, new LGA leader Sir Merrick Cockell will call for an end to battles between councils and ministers over spending cuts and say both sides must not "casually allow each other's reputation to be trashed".Meanwhile, speaking at the conference in Birmingham later, new LGA leader Sir Merrick Cockell will call for an end to battles between councils and ministers over spending cuts and say both sides must not "casually allow each other's reputation to be trashed".
Shortly after taking office last year, Chancellor George Osborne unveiled cuts to local government funding of more than £2bn.Shortly after taking office last year, Chancellor George Osborne unveiled cuts to local government funding of more than £2bn.
In response to that, many councils have unveiled plans to reduce services in order to save money - in some cases drawing considerable protests from local people.In response to that, many councils have unveiled plans to reduce services in order to save money - in some cases drawing considerable protests from local people.
But ministers have insisted that much of the money can be saved by slashing waste and senior staff salaries.But ministers have insisted that much of the money can be saved by slashing waste and senior staff salaries.
Sir Merrick, who is replacing Margaret Eaton as chairman of the LGA, will say that the last 12 months have been "very difficult and, at times, very damaging" for council leaders, with their working lives dominated by tough decisions about spending restraint.Sir Merrick, who is replacing Margaret Eaton as chairman of the LGA, will say that the last 12 months have been "very difficult and, at times, very damaging" for council leaders, with their working lives dominated by tough decisions about spending restraint.
"Like me, you will have seen an erosion of our public reputation and the corrosive impact that can have upon the trust that people place in us as councillors and councils," he will say."Like me, you will have seen an erosion of our public reputation and the corrosive impact that can have upon the trust that people place in us as councillors and councils," he will say.
"We have to remind some ministers that if we casually allow each other's reputation to be trashed, then the public will not just lose faith in local government any more than it loses faith in central government - it will lose faith in all of us.""We have to remind some ministers that if we casually allow each other's reputation to be trashed, then the public will not just lose faith in local government any more than it loses faith in central government - it will lose faith in all of us."
Sir Merrick will praise the government "for its decentralising impulses" but urge ministers to go further - most importantly, to localise business rates to allow communities to benefit directly from their local economies.Sir Merrick will praise the government "for its decentralising impulses" but urge ministers to go further - most importantly, to localise business rates to allow communities to benefit directly from their local economies.
He will also say he wants to broaden the range of people who stand to become councillors, in order to strengthen local democracy.He will also say he wants to broaden the range of people who stand to become councillors, in order to strengthen local democracy.
Are you a public sector worker who plans to break the strike? Are you an employer or employee whose business could be affected by the dispute? Please fill in the form below if you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC.Are you a public sector worker who plans to break the strike? Are you an employer or employee whose business could be affected by the dispute? Please fill in the form below if you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC.