Warning over pay claims 'timebomb'

Mar 11 2009

MSPs have been urged to step in and help "get a grip" on a looming financial timebomb faced by councils over equal pay claims.

The bill could top £500 million to settle thousands of cases of mainly women due compensation after years of being paid less than men for doing the same job.

One former Government minister voiced concerns that the situation is "intractable". Glyn Hawker of Unison told Holyrood's Local Government and Communities Committee the mounting claims level had been described as a "runaway train".