Miliband urges talks over pensions

Unions have hailed a "welcome shift" in Labour's position on public sector strikes as plans for a series of industrial action ballots were stepped up.

Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman said the party will back public sector strikes if the Government remains "unreasonable" in talks with trade unions over efforts to secure agreement over pension reforms, while Ed Miliband urged the Government to engage in "serious" negotiations.