Gleeful Primark bosses posted more than half a billion pounds in profit yesterday on the work of women paid just 7p an hour.

The clothing giant reported a 44 per cent leap in pre-tax profits, climbing to £514 million for the year to September.

CEO George Weston of the retailer's parent company Associated British Foods described "a remarkable year for Primark," variously attributing its profits to expanded shop floors and "strategically placed mannequins."

The brand had "excellent prospects" in the coming years, he added.

"With the strength of the group's balance sheet and strong cash generation, we have every reason to be confident in the continuing development of the group," he said.

But garment workers at Primark's Bangladeshi suppliers earn £23.69 a month - around 7p an hour - less than a third of the country's living wage.

High street links to sweatshop labour have come under increased scrutiny since May, when the collapse of a Primark supplier's illegal tower block in Dhaka killed more than a thousand garment workers.

Primark last week renewed a temporary compensation scheme for the victims' families and says it has signed up to the Asia Floor Wage initiative.

But charity War on Want's Jeff Powell said yesterday the company's latest profits still relied on driving down suppliers' prices - and garment workers' wages in turn.

"Before opening more new stores, Primark should ensure a living wage for the people who make their clothes for a pittance," he said.

The announcement also came just a day after economic analysts officially upped Britain's own living wage - already well beyond what Primark pays its British staff.

The new figures are £8.80 an hour in London and £7.65 an hour elsewhere, while Primark pays its shop floor workers just £7.14 an hour.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said it was clear that far more companies could afford to sign up to the living wage accord.

"Many large employers in particular can afford to pay a living wage, but are choosing to sit idly on rising cash piles," she said.