Islington Council is calling on other authorities to follow its lead and ensure all homecare providers pay the London living wage.

The council contractually requires all three of its major homecare providers – Allied Healthcare, London Care, and Sevacare – to pay Islington-based staff at least the living wage of £9.15 an hour, soon to be raised to £9.40.

Sustained efforts from the council, charities and businesses over the past year have seen the number of living wage accredited employers in the borough double to over 90: the highest concentration in the country.

Now, after Living Wage awareness week began on Monday, London Care has pointed to improvements in staff wellbeing as a result of higher wages. Prior to introducing the living wage in 2014, turnover among staff averaged over 10 per cent. Now, it is less than 3 pc.

Cllr Andy Hull, Islington’s executive member for finance and performance, said: “Islington Council believes that no-one should have to do a hard day’s work for less than they can live on.

“To make this a reality, we had to put our money where our mouth is and pay providers enough to remunerate their staff properly.

“The results – better retention, performance, and morale – are striking.

“We know these are difficult times for cash-strapped councils due to unprecedented government cuts, but we’re calling on other local authorities to follow suit and make sure that people who are doing some of the most important work in our society take home a fair day’s pay.”