Union leaders have urged MPs to support a wage boost for low-paid council workers.

The Unison union was on Tuesday holding a lobby of Parliament in support of its claim for a six per cent pay rise for over a million local authority staff.

It also published a dossier showing how workers were having to cut back on basics such as food because of rising energy and other bills.

National officer Heather Wakefield said there were "sound" arguments why pay rises should not be limited to the government's two per cent target.

"Our members in local government include care assistants, refuse collectors, nursery nurses and school dinner ladies, who work hard to provide the services we all rely on," she said.

"They deserve to be valued, instead, they face a two per cent pay cap. This is despite the fact their wages have already fallen below inflation and average earnings since 2004.

"With private sector pay rates rising, we run the risk of worsening the recruitment and retention crisis many local government departments face."