MPs have been told they must address the "scandal" of the low wages paid to the staff who clean the House of Commons.

The Transport and General Workers Union, which represents many of those who work in the parliamentary estate, has called for action on low pay.

According to the union, pay for the cleaners can be as low as the minimum wage of £4.85, while the lack of pensions or sick pay are also issues.

The workers are employed by private contractors, and are seeking the support of parliamentary candidates for a wage of £6.70 an hour.

"We are determined that the fine words and the declarations of support are not swept under the carpet," said Jack Dromey, TGWU deputy general secretary.

"While parliament sleeps, our members clean.

"They come from all over the world to look after the home of democracy and it's a scandal that cleaners at the heart of parliamentary democracy should earn the minimum wage."