The war of words between ministers and unions has gathered pace over the weekend, as national strikes over pension reforms loom closer

Government negotiators, led by chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander and Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude, claimed the co-ordinated industrial action on Wednesday could cost business £500m. They were joined by other politicians as all parties sought to avert the ‘day of action’.

![Francis Maude picture ]1Francis Maude: ‘in a state of considerable irritation’ about the strike.

Up to a million local authority staff may participate in walkouts, but councils have made contingency plans to keep vital services running.

The Cabinet Office minister confirmed the government’s revised offer for enhanced accrual rates and protection for those within 10 years of retirement was conditional on agreement being reached ahead of Wednesday’s action.

He told the Daily Telegraph over the weekend that the pension offer would be taken off the table at year’s end if there is no deal.

Mr Maude said he was ‘in a state of considerable irritation’ about the strike, adding there was ‘a strong case’ for changing the law to make union leaders hold a new ballot every few months if they wish to carry out prolonged disputes. However, he later softened his line, stating existing laws could work well and legislation changes ‘were a last resort’.

Mr Alexander claimed it was bizarre for unions to take action while negotiations continued. ‘There is no more money on the table’.

And speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show, shadow chancellor Ed Balls urged both sides to give ground to avert the ‘hugely disruptive’ strikes'

Mr Balls said: ‘I would urge the government to get round the table, give some ground and sort this out, it is terrible we are going to have a strike on Wednesday.

‘I don’t think anybody wants it, it will be hugely disruptive for families and businesses.’

General Secretary of the PCS Union, Mark Serwotka, echoed the need for further talks and urged the government to ‘get around the negotiating table’ to prevent the strikes. He denied the government’s claim that its improved offer was a generous one.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said Mr Alexander’s statement needed ‘to be translated into offers in the specific pension scheme talks, so we have something on which to negotiate and to put to our members.’

Mr Prentis expressed the union’s willingness to ‘negotiate any time, any place’ for secure and sustainable pensions.