More than 200 Tower Hamlets Council workers downed tools on September 18 after rejecting the national local government pay offer of a flat increase of £1,925.

Initially due to run until October 1, the action has been extended by a further two weeks after management failed to make an improved offer at a meeting on September 15, according to the union Unite.

Unite’s regional officer, Nick West, told LondonWorld the workers do not want to strike, but that they "see no alternative to be able to address the cost of living crisis specifically for them".