Labour leader Ed Miliband pledged to tackle poverty wages for local government workers at the GMB conference yesterday — but refused to support planned strike action over the issue.

Up to two million public workers could go on strike over pay and conditions on July 10, including members of the GMB, Unison, Unite, NUT and PCS.

Mr Miliband said that dialogue was the only option despite the GMB confirming that the authorities were refusing to engage in talks.