THE lowest-paid employees of Wigan Council will see their wages go up as the authority aims to lead by example.

More than 200 people’s wages will rise to £7.45 an hour as the council introduces a living wage and strives to be a ‘responsible employer’.

The council is now calling on other employers in the borough to follow its lead and pay their staff the amount an individual needs to earn to cover the cost of living.

Leader of Wigan Council Lord Peter Smith said: “We want all our staff to get a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

“We face our own financial difficulties as a council, but we know the cost of living has soared in recent years. We want to support our hard-working staff by helping them afford a basic standard of living.”