Talks on plan to cut jobs 'on the cheap'

Union leaders will meet the Cabinet Office to try to reverse the plan, which officials warned would lead to civil servants having redundancy pay cut and would lead to the Government cutting jobs "on the cheap."

More than 100 MPs have signed a Commons motion expressing "deep concern" about the changes, which the Public and Commercial Services union said showed "mounting political opposition" to the plan.

The Early Day Motion urges the Government to re-examine the "disappointing and unfair" proposals.

The union's national executive will meet after today's talks to decide whether to press ahead with a strike ballot and to discuss a legal challenge and call for a judicial review over the changes, which the PCS is pursuing with other civil service unions.

General secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The Government need to pay heed to the political pressure that is mounting over these unfair and unilateral changes.

"Over 100 MPs recognise that the Government should be protecting those who have given loyal service over a number of years rather than slashing their redundancy entitlements and cutting their jobs on the cheap.

"The talks offer the Government the opportunity to find a negotiated settlement that avoids a damaging dispute and legal action."