Equal pay injustice

The government is to allow councils to raise £455m through the capitalisation of assets in order to meet their equal pay liabilities.

The money raised by councils that borrow against or sell assets will be used to make a one-off back-payment to thousands of employees, the majority of whom are women, and complete their duties under local pay reviews.

Local government minister John Healey says: “Local government workers have
the legal right to fair pay like anyone else, but some councils have let unequal pay persist for decades … workers should get the equal pay to which they are entitled.”

Dave Prentis, general secretary of UNISON says that the scheme shows the government is serious about delivering equality. processes,” he adds.