Striking public sector workers walk out over pensions


Union leaders say up to 400,000 workers will strike while the government says it will be half that

Hundreds of thousands of public sector workers are taking part in a 24-hour UK-wide strike in a dispute with the government over pension changes.

The government says current pension schemes are unfair - and unaffordable because people are living longer.

But the unions say members are being "robbed" and will have to pay more and work longer for lower pensions.

Meanwhile, the government has said that walkouts by prison service staff in England and Wales are unlawful.

Among the public sector workers taking part in the 24-hour strike are civil servants, NHS workers - including paramedics - border force staff and lecturers.

Around 32,000 police officers are taking part in a protest march against cuts, according to Metropolitan Police estimates.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18010526