The Amicus trade union is to launch a campaign in the new year for a compulsory minimum 10 per cent salary contribution to pensions by employers.

It follows the publication of a government green paper on the issue, as the number of final salary pension schemes has declined.

"The government must act in the interests of everyone who has worked and saved for the future by protecting retirement income," said general secretary Derek Simpson.

"Introducing a mandatory minimum occupational pension contribution from employers" was the best way to do this, he argued.