Council staff get pay hike

City leaders have confirmed 2000 of the lowest-paid council staff will have their wages boosted to £7.50 per hour from next month.

The move, announced in the autumn and formally approved last week, means staff, including cleaners, carers and chefs, will take home at least £100 per month extra.

City leader Andrew Burns told a full council meeting the rise would benefit the wider economy as the cash would be spent in local businesses.

However, despite pressure from Unison, Unite and the Edinburgh Greens, external contractors working for the local authority will not yet receive the same wage, due to claims that many small firms could not afford it.