Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, has told the House of Commons that outline agreements on changes to public sector pension reforms had been reached with several public sector unions.

Alexander said that the changes to pensions deliver the government's key objectives of amending public sector pensions to a career average arrangement, leading to public sector staff working longer before they receive a pension and paying higher contributions.

He said: “We and the unions agree that this is the best outcome that can be achieved through negotiation. For our workforce, it means they will continue to receive the best quality pensions available in this country. This is a proper reward for a lifetime's commitment to serving the public.

"These agreements deliver the government's key objectives in full, and do so with no new money since our November offer. These reforms will save the taxpayer tens of billions of pounds over the next few decades and significantly improve the long-term fiscal sustainability of this country.”

For more articles on public sector pensions