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Public sector pensions: Deal for teachers 'is close' Hope for breakthrough on public sector pensions
(about 1 hour later)
A union leader has said that a deal is close with the government on teachers' pensions on a key day of negotiations. A union leader has said she is optimistic there will be a breakthrough on teachers' pensions.
Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said that agreement could be imminent as negotiators meet education officials. Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said a deal would be very good news for teachers at Christmas.
A "deadline" of 15:00 GMT has reportedly been set by the government for union responses to its offer. The BBC understands that there has been some agreement on the scheme affecting local government employees.
A deadline of 15:00 GMT has reportedly been set by the government for union responses to its offer.
But the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said the situation was fluid and agreement was far off.But the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said the situation was fluid and agreement was far off.
"It has proved quite difficult to find any ground in the middle, although we are still committed to try and do that," said Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS union, which represents civil servants."It has proved quite difficult to find any ground in the middle, although we are still committed to try and do that," said Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS union, which represents civil servants.
On Friday, the PCS union said the government was trying to "bully" it into signing up to changes to pensions, by setting an earlier Monday deadline. Key meeting
Unions representing public service workers will meet at the TUC on Monday afternoon.Unions representing public service workers will meet at the TUC on Monday afternoon.
A statement on the pensions negotiations will be made to Parliament on Tuesday by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander.A statement on the pensions negotiations will be made to Parliament on Tuesday by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander.
Higher contributions
The government and public sector unions have been in talks to try to reach agreement on four pension schemes. They cover local government workers, NHS staff, civil servants and teachers.
Up to two million workers went on strike last month to protest at proposed pension changes. More strikes are planned for the new year.
Last week, the government confirmed it was pressing ahead with raising pension contributions next year for teachers and civil servants, even though there was no agreement with unions at that time.Last week, the government confirmed it was pressing ahead with raising pension contributions next year for teachers and civil servants, even though there was no agreement with unions at that time.
The Department for Education and the Cabinet Office said the changes from next year would go ahead, although further talks would be held about future arrangements.The Department for Education and the Cabinet Office said the changes from next year would go ahead, although further talks would be held about future arrangements.
Ms Blower said she was entering negotiations with the officials at the Department for Education hoping for a breakthrough.
"I always go in in an optimistic frame of mind and hope that the department will come through and make sure that teachers actually do have a merry Christmas and a very happy new year. And that will mean keeping our pensions as good as they have been," she said.
Earlier she was reported to have said that a deal was close, but the NUT has denied such a comment was made.
Local government
Meanwhile, the BBC understands that agreement has been reached between councils and unions on the principles of a deal on the pension scheme for local government employees.
However, there would still be work to be done on the detail in the new year.
Under the deal, the new Local Government Pension Scheme would be introduced in 2014, a year later than originally planned.
This will be a career average scheme, with a pension age linked to the state pension age. There will be no contribution increases for employees before 2014, it is understood.
Negotiations on the Local Government Pension Scheme have been separate to the talks on other public sector pensions.
The scheme is funded, which means that pensions are paid for by underlying investment funds, not out of general taxation
The government and public sector unions have been in talks to try to reach agreement on four pension schemes. As well as local government workers, they cover schemes for NHS staff, civil servants and teachers.
Up to two million workers went on strike last month to protest at proposed pension changes. More strikes are planned for the new year.