City Hall staff to get the 'London living wage'

Staff employed under Boris Johnson will all receive an increased minimum wage, it was revealed today.

The Mayor is to adopt the "London living wage" of £7.40 an hour which Ken Livingstone championed but did not implement.

The move will benefit tens of thousands of staff employed by the Greater London Authority and related bodies including Transport for London.

Mr Johnson is expected to make the announcement on 28 July and will say that organisations funded by the London Development Agency will have to pay the living wage from next year.

He will also encourage the minimum wage to be brought in for hotel and hospitality staff ahead of the 2012 Olympics.

A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "London is a great city but many people are feeling the pinch. It can be an expensive city to live in and we believe this is a necessary rate to be able to have a decent quality of life in London."

The plan was due to be unveiled next Monday but the announcement was postponed due to the funeral of Mr Johnson's father-in-law.