Tower Hamlets is one of only five London councils paying contract workers the London minimum wage.

All full-time employees and agency staff members receive at least �8.30 an hour – the new London rate introduced on Monday (May 2).

The council voted to adopt the London Living Wage at the end of 2008.

Of the 32 London boroughs, Ealing, Lewisham and Islington have also brought in contracts to bring agency staff up to the recommended pay and Southwark council has set out a Living Wage policy but not yet implemented it.

Those most affected by the hike include cleaners, park wardens and parking enforcement workers.

A Tower Hamlets council spokesman said: “No full-time employee or agency staff member receives less than the London Living Wage. Part-time staff are also paid at an hourly rate above the London Living Wage.”

The data, obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the Green party, showed that Tower Hamlets implemented the hourly rate in contracts for 193 workers.

The Greens London Assembly member Darren Johnson accused other councils of paying “poverty wages”.

He urged mayor of London Boris Johnson to do more to persuade councils to hike up pay.