Emmanuel Macron tonight admitted that pushing France's retirement age up from 62 to 64 'had not been accepted' – but said there would be no U-turns following weeks of strikes and rioting.

The embattled President appeared on a pre-recorded nationwide TV broadcast on Thursday evening, three days after his controversial pension plans passed into law without a parliamentary vote.

'Is this reform accepted?' asked Mr Macron during the 12-minute address. 'Obviously not. In spite of months of negotiations, no consensus was reached, and I regret that.'

He said he 'heard the anger' of the French, adding 'no-one can remain deaf to it.'

President Macron said there was 'anger at jobs which, for many French people, no longer allow them to live well, in the face of rising prices for fuel, shopping, canteens.

'There is anger because some have the feeling of doing their part, but without being rewarded for their efforts, neither in wages, nor in effective public services.'

But insisting there would be no change in his policies, Mr Macron said the reform was 'necessary to guarantee pensions and produce more wealth for our nation', and for France to stay in line with European neighbours.

Within minutes of Mr Macron's speech, illegal protests were underway, as riot police fought to restore order.