DHAKA: Britons may have to work for longer before claiming a state pension, under further austerity plans to be presented by finance minister George Osborne in a Budget update on Thursday.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Osborne has already written to ministers explaining that another £3 billion will be cut from public spending over the next three years.

He is also expected to unveil upgraded official economic growth forecasts, as Britain’s recovery picks up speed.

The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government will seek to bring forward plans to extend the retirement age to 68 before they are entitled to a state pension, according to a government source.

BDST: 1838 HRS, DEC 05, 2013