House of Commons cleaners are seeking a 38 per cent pay increase and improved contracts.

Parliament could face strike action if the demands to be paid more than the minimum wage are not approved.

Cleaners at the Commons are paid £4.85 an hour, have just 12 days’ holiday apart from public holidays, have no company pension scheme and receive only statutory sick pay.

By contrast, their Lords counterparts receive £7.89 an hour and better working conditions.