Dozens of UK local councils face equal pay claims, says union

Birmingham city council has issued a notice declaring itself in effect insolvent — in large part because of an equal pay claim that is estimated to have left it with a bill of up to £750mn

Dozens of local authorities in the UK could be hit by equal pay claims after failing to end discriminatory practices against women, according to the GMB union, which on Wednesday launched a campaign on behalf of up to 1,000 female care workers in Sunderland.

The growing number of equal pay claims against councils comes as some warn of dire financial circumstances because of soaring demand for their services, rising costs and funding shortfalls.