Commenting on today’s Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis figures which reveal that the cost of public sector pensions has soared by £25bn this year, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Danny Alexander said:

"The huge and increasing taxpayer liability for public sector pensions highlights the urgent need for reform.

"The Government must establish an independent commission to review how public sector pensions can be made sustainable and affordable.

"It’s high time the Treasury stopped burying its head in the sand about the true cost of public sector pensions."