Britain's largest local authority is poised to agree a 'living wage' deal with staff that is likely to add £1m to the local pay bill.

Birmingham City Council is set to agree a minimum payment of £7.20 per hour for up to 2,500 staff. The proposal will be discussed at a meeting on 11 June and, if adopted, would improve current pay rates for around 6% of the authority's staff, mostly women.