Anyone passing by Hackney Town Hall this week may have been wondering what the new flag hoisted above it is all about.

It is, of course, the London Living Wage flag – signifying the council’s proud status as a living wage employer.

The flag was raised on Monday by mayor Phil Glanville and employment chief Cllr Carole Williams, to mark London Living Wage week.

An event was also held with 30 businesses attending, some of whom pay the living wage already, and some of whom are “aspiring” to do so.

Dr Andrea Werner, from the Middlesex Business School, spoke at the event about how small and medium sized enterprises can make the London Living Wage work for them, and Citizens UK and the Living Wage Foundation were on hand to provide advice and guidance to those who want to find out more.

Everyone working for the council, regardless of whether they are permanent employees, temporary staff, part-time or agency, or apprentices over the age of 18, is guaranteed to receive at least the London Living Wage.

It also ensures contractors are paid the wage, meaning more than 800 people in total are getting it.

Mayor Glanville, said: “It is very important to me that we lead by example and to ensure that everyone working for us, including our new apprentices, receives a fair salary to help meet the spiralling cost of living in our borough and across the whole of London.”