Thousands to strike in public pensions dispute

Police, civil servants and NHS workers are expected to join the UK-wide protests. The government argues existing public sector schemes are unfair at a time when private sector pensions have been closing. It also said they are unaffordable as people are living longer. Its proposals, outlined in the Public Service Pensions Bill, seek increased employee contributions and would raise the retirement age in line with the state pension age, which will eventually rise to 68. Unions said the changes will leave their members paying more and working longer for lower pensions. Unite spokesp...