Hourly rates will increase from �5.85 to �7.20

The pay rise will take place when Transport for London (TfL) takes control of Metronet, the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said.

About 900 cleaners who have been lobbying for a rise will see hourly rates increase from �5.85 to �7.20.

The rise will come into effect in January, the RMT said.

Union general secretary Bob Crow said: "For more than two years RMT cleaners, supported by their colleagues across the Tube network, have been campaigning for the pay justice, dignity and respect due to them, and the first major victory is now in sight.

"It is nonsense that cleaning contractors who make millions cannot afford to pay a living wage to the people who do some of the dirtiest and most difficult jobs on the Tube, and the time has come to start bringing cleaning back in-house."

Mr Crow said the union would urge Tubelines, which employs cleaners for London Underground in addition to Metronet, also to consider an increase in wages.

In April, cleaners demonstrated outside City Hall demanding for a raise.

Mayor Ken Livingstone had supported their demands saying �7.20 per hour should be set a minimum for those working and living in London.