Young staff members at leisure centres, gyms and pools across Waltham Forest will be treated to an unexpected bonus this Autumn – the London Living Wage.

Around 70 workers in eight venues across the borough who are aged 18 to 20 will get a rise of £2.10, bringing their hourly wage to £10.20.

The change, announced by Waltham Forest Council and its leisure partner GLL, will be rolled out in October.

Cllr Clare Coghill, leader of Waltham Forest Council, said: “I’m delighted that we have agreed with GLL for their younger staff to receive the London Living Wage.

“We are an accredited Living Wage employer and that commits us to working with partner organisations to ensure their employees receive a decent wage.

“We are proud of our partnership with GLL, who run high-quality facilities which our residents really value.

“This agreement is a sign of how closely we work together to get the very best not just for those who use the services, but also for those who deliver them.”

Mark Sesnan, managing director of GLL, added: “GLL is a non-profit making social enterprise and part of our ethos includes the wish to pay our staff fairly for a fair day’s work.

“We’ve actually been increasing the pay of our lowest paid staff by more than inflation over the last five years to achieve our goal of paying the London Living Wage to everyone working for GLL in the capital.”