Civil servants will today discuss stepping up a campaign of industrial action in protest at job cuts, privatisation of services and below-inflation pay rises.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services union have already staged two national strikes this year and there have been calls to co-ordinate any future action with other public sector workers.

The union's annual conference opens in Brighton today and delegates will discuss the next steps of the campaign.

General secretary Mark Serwotka said: "This year's conference takes place against the backdrop of an ongoing dispute over deteriorating services due to job cuts, continuing privatisation and low pay, which is being driven down by below-inflation pay offers.

"Delegates from across the UK will be discussing the next phase of the dispute and sending a clear message to the Government to stop ripping the heart out of public services."