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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Hope for breakthrough on public sector pensions | Hope for breakthrough on public sector pensions |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A union leader has said she is optimistic there will be a breakthrough on teachers' pensions. | 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 a deal would be very good news for teachers at Christmas. | Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said a deal would be very good news for teachers at Christmas. |
| The BBC understands that there has been some agreement on the scheme affecting local government employees. | 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. | 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. |
| Key meeting | 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. |
| The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the government remained hopeful of a deal before the end of the year. | |
| "It is possible there may be more progress in some sectors than in others. These talks are talking place at scheme level rather than the big picture level and different schemes have different characteristics," he said, denying that there was a policy of divide and rule. | |
| 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. |
| 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. | 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. | "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. | Earlier she was reported to have said that a deal was close, but the NUT has denied such a comment was made. |
| Local government | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | Up to two million workers went on strike last month to protest at proposed pension changes. More strikes are planned for the new year. |