Basingstoke MP Maria Miller has commented on today’s public sector strike action.

Maria said: “I have met local public sector workers in Basingstoke and understand their concerns about the importance of pension provision.”

“Public sector pensions will remain among the most attractive in the country – a guaranteed level and inflation proofed. Only one in ten private sector workers have access to such schemes. To get an equivalent pension in the private sector most people would have to contribute around 38% their salary each year.”

“I believe that the Government has listened to the concerns of public sector workers and put a generous pension offer on the table, which is also fair and affordable to other taxpayers.”

“People are living longer and the cost of public sector pensions has increased by a third over the last decade to £32 billion – more than we spend on police, prison and courts combined. Virtually all of these costs fall on the taxpayer, and public sector pension reform is unavoidable.”

“This strike is inappropriate, untimely and irresponsible, and school closures will hit parents hardest at a time when family finance is under pressure.”