Harrison Catering Services has extended its school dinners partnership with Ealing Council and become one of the first hospitality operators to commit to the London living wage.

The caterer, which has fed pupils at primary and special schools in the London borough for the past five years, has signed a new five-year deal worth £3m in annual turnover.

As part of the new deal the partners have committed to adopting the London living wage - currently pegged at £7.20 - to reward its dedicated staff and offset the high cost of living in the capital.

Ealing Council leader Jason Stacey, has pledged to honour the introduction of a London living wage regardless of whether newly elected London Mayor Boris Johnson honours his pre-election pledge to introduce the measure.

Harrison already operates a "cost-plus" contract in the borough, with any profit split three ways between the council, the caterer and its 260 catering staff. After achieving a 7% increase in school meals served during 2006-07 to 7,000 meals a day at 59 primary and special schools in Ealing - amounting to 40% take-up - staff received a £130 bonus for their efforts last year.

Would a local minimum wage work for everyone? >>

By Chris Druce

E-mail your comments to Chris Druce here.