The government is said to be considering plans for new legislation to protect public service workers in a bid to head off a looming revolt at this autumn's party conference.

Ministers are said to be giving active consideration to plans offering the same safeguards to workers in central government which are afforded to their colleagues providing local services.

The move follows a deal struck between contractors and local authorities which means they must offer new staff terms and conditions which are "no less favourable" to those transferred from the public sector.