THE county's Green Party is calling for Herefordshire Council to introduce the living wage – £7.85 an hour – as part of its pay policy.

Councillor Felicity Norman has put forward a motion to be debated at the next full council meeting on December 12, calling on Herefordshire Council to introduce the measures to ensure the difference between highest and lowest paid is no more than 1:10.

She is also urging county businesses, especially those contracted to Herefordshire Council, to do the same.

Diana Toynbee, the Green Party’s parliamentary candidate for Hereford and South Herefordshire, said: "Herefordshire is a low income county, and many working people don’t earn enough to pay taxes or contribute to the local economy by using local businesses, and may be having to claim benefits.

"Local people will be proud to see Herefordshire Council set an example by paying decent pay for a decent days work, and benefitting our local economy."

The Living Wage Foundation claims that more than 1,000 businesses in the country have adopted the living wage, including many councils, Standard Life and Barclays.

The Federation of Small Businesses said it supported the living wage, but that it should remain a voluntary goal.