More than a quarter (27%) of the top 5% earners employed by Hackney council in all services - except education - hail from ethnic minorities, putting it at the top of the English league for highest paid council workers, according to the GMB.

At the other end of the scale, at North East Lincolnshire, York and West Berkshire councils, none of the top 5% of earners is from ethnic minority communities.

Kamaljeet Jandu, GMB national equality and inclusion officer, said: "We believe employers should reflect the make-up of local communities.

"GMB commend those local councils that have achieved this at the highest pay level in their organisations as a commitment to equality and progress. There are lessons here for employers in the public and private sectors who have not acknowledged this and made progress. Appointments and promotion should be based on merit to achieve this objective."

Waltham Forest Council rated high on the list with 24% of the top 5% of earners coming from ethnic minorities and 23.5% of Lambeth Council's high earners were from minority communities.