Care workers who have transferred to the council from a not-for-profit group must have their pay increased, the Labour Group has said.

Labour councillors say former Fremantle Trust staff who are now employed by council-owned The Barnet Group should be paid the London Living Wage, which is currently £10.55 an hour.

Barnet Group’s policy is to pay all staff the London Living Wage – deemed to be the minimum rate of pay that workers in the capital need to cover the cost of living.

But figures from the Barnet branch of trade union Unison show the care workers who transferred in from the trust are currently being paid less.

Labour leader Cllr Barry Rawlings raised the issue at the policy and resources committee on October 3, and a report setting out the cost will be brought back to the next meeting.

Cllr Rawlings said: “Care workers provide the most crucial services to our elderly and disabled residents, and they deserve to be paid a living wage.

“I look forward to pressing the case for all Barnet Group employees to be paid at least London’s Living Wage at the next policy and resources committee meeting, and I will also be raising this at the next full council meeting on October 29.”

Three care homes owned by the Fremantle Trust were brought under the council’s control from July.

The move came shortly after one of the homes, Apthorp Care Centre in Nurserymans Road, was heavily criticised by the Care Quality Commission.

More than 160 people have signed a petition calling for the workers to be paid the London Living Wage here.

A spokesperson for The Barnet Group said: “The former Fremantle staff transferred across to Your Choice Barnet (Limited) on all their current terms and conditions, which differ from the terms and conditions of the other YCB staff in many ways, not just the difference in salary.

“Staff were informed prior to the transfer that there would be no immediate change to any of their terms and conditions as they are protected under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations.

“During the first year of the contract there is a planned integration process, which includes reviewing all aspects of the services and includes the staffing arrangements.

“Any changes proposed will be subject to a full consultation process.”

The petition is available here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/our-call-for-the-london-living-wage-for-all-barnet-group-employees