Breakthrough raises hope of averting UK pension strike

Hopes of averting a strike by 1.5 million council workers and civil servants dramatically rose today after a breakthrough in a bitter dispute with the Government over pensions.

Hopes of averting a strike by 1.5 million council workers and civil servants dramatically rose today after a breakthrough in a bitter dispute with the British government over pensions.

Ministers offered a “fresh start” in dealing with the controversy, and promised unions that the government would revoke changes to the retirement age due to come into effect on April 1.