KATE Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, has expressed her disgust at Trafford’s council’s refusal to pay the national living wage.

The living wage is currently £7.85 an hour, is independently calculated and is updated annually.

Trafford Council claims it pays a living wage, but in a letter to Ms Green, the council’s chief executive confirmed the council is giving its lowest paid workers just £7.20 an hour.

The local authority claims this is the “Trafford living wage,” but, according to the think tank New Economy, there’s no reason for the local living wage to be different, and employers in Greater Manchester should pay the national living wage.

Ms Green said: “I’m disgusted that Trafford council has made up its own living wage to get away with paying its lowest paid workers way below the national living wage.

“Public sector staff are entitled to a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. If the council won’t pay people properly, then it won’t be able to recruit the staff we need to run our public services, so residents lose out too.

“It’s always those on the lowest incomes who the Tories make bear the greatest pain. While there are some great employers in Trafford who pay the national living wage, it’s disgraceful that the council isn’t leading by example.”

But Trafford insists it is paying "a fair rate of pay" and employees are "at the heart of the organisation."

A spokesman said: "The council aims to ensure that all employees are appropriately rewarded, encouraged and developed to their full potential to carry out their individual roles. There are a range of financial considerations to be taken into account when reviewing pay, including continuing to safeguard jobs where the CCuncil is competing for work.

"While an important element of this is the basic hourly rate, a wide range of other benefits are available to staff, including a generous pension scheme, sick pay scheme, flexible working and training and development, providing a comprehensive total reward package."