Teachers set to take action over threat to pensions

Chris Keates, of the NASUWT union, said the plans to change their pension contributions from a flat rate of 6.4 per cent of salary to up to 9.8 per cent by 2015 would "inevitably speed up any action".

The EIS, Scotland's biggest teaching union, said it would lead to a "cut in the standard of living" of teachers. The move by Westminster could see a teacher on 35,000 paying an extra 100 a month. Industrial action could follow, union leaders warned.

Teachers are already facing a freeze on salaries in ongoing negotiations. Salaries for teachers are devolved to the Scottish Government, but pensions are reserved to Westminster.

Controversy broke earlier this month when it emerged teachers on preserved salaries - those demoted under restructuring but allowed to keep the higher salary - might face cuts in their wages of thousands of pounds.

Drew Morrice, assistant secretary of the EIS, said teachers and other public sector workers were having "to pay the price for the Government's need to balance the books".

He added: "Teachers are to have no pay rise, a rise in their pension contributions and a likely increase in inflation.

"That is a cocktail for a cut in the standard of living for them and all public sector workers."