Low-paid council staff and town hall top earners look set to benefit from measures due to be announced in chancellor George Osborne's Budget later today.

Potential tax changes increasing personal allowance thresholds to £9,000 could help the more than 70% of the local government workforce paid less than £21,000 a year. According to figures released by the trade union Unison last month, more than a quarter of the local government workforce earns less than the 'living wage' of £7.20 per hour - forcing many to rely on benefits and tax credits.