Obama proposes pay freeze for government workers

US President Barack Obama has proposed a two-year pay freeze for federal government workers as part of efforts to reduce the budget deficit.



The White House estimates that the pay freeze would save about $2 billion a year and up to $28 billion over five years.



However, the pay freeze would require the approval of Congress.



The US had a budget deficit of $1.3 trillion in the year to September, and critics have said the government should do more to narrow the gap.



The president's announcement comes before a Wednesday deadline for the bi-partisan national Deficit Commission to agree on ways to cut the national debt.



Meanwhile, President Obama is today meeting with leaders of both parties to discuss whether to extend tax cuts that were introduced under the Bush presidency.