Union leaders will decide later whether to back a co-ordinated campaign of industrial action to oppose the government's spending cuts.

Several large public sector unions are warning of possible strikes over changes to pension entitlements.

But TUC officials are hopeful any action can be avoided after ministers agreed to extend talks.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude urged unions to talk rather than get embroiled in a "political fight".

He told the BBC that any "general strike" would be illegal. Ministers wanted a dialogue with unions but they had to recognise that public spending had to be reduced, he added.