MINISTERS have been accused of lying about public sector pension cuts by a top union boss ahead of Wednesday's strike.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the Government "deliberately ­misrepresented" its plans by wrongly suggesting that those on low and middle incomes will be better off.

The charge came as the Army was put on standby to strike-break. Amid fears two thirds of schools will close, veteran Tory Francis Maude warned the Government could bring in draconian anti-union laws in the wake of the action.

Mr Barber admitted it was unlikely Mr Maude could say anything to prevent two million workers from walking out.

He said: "We will try to resolve this, but unless he comes up with something very surprising, it will be going ahead."

Mr Maude claimed the Government had always made it clear workers would have to toil longer and pay more if they wanted to build up the same pension rights.

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls said he had huge sympathy for workers.

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