Women's Equal Pay Ruling

The Supreme Court has told Birmingham City Council it must abide by a previous High Court ruling that it underpaid former female employees, which could pave the way for huge compensation claims.

It's a landmark ruling that could see millions handed out in claims by Birmingham and other councils.

Former Birmingham City Council employees speak out following the decision by the Supreme Court to allow 174 women to continue with their claims for equal pay compensation.

Chris Benson one of the lawyers acting for the 170 women who brought the original case against Birmingham City Council say the council told the former employees repeatedly they were "out of time".

The lawyers acting for the 170 women who brought the original case against Birmingham City Council say this marks "an historic decision".

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Following the Supreme Court ruling that has given the go-ahead to former employees to launch unequal pay claims, Birmingham City Council says it is considering its options.

Lawyers say the landmark case could have "huge implications".

They were cleaners, cooks and carers for the council. They were on the same basic wage as male workers such as refuse collectors and grave diggers, but bonuses the women did not receive saw the men earn on average 10,000 - 13,000 more than the women.

However, scores of women who had left the council fell foul of a rule that say employees must launch tribunals within six months of their leaving a job.

They took their case to the High Court, which found in their favour in 2010 but the council appealed against that ruling.

Today the Supreme Court ruled the council has a case to answer in the High Court.

Lawyers for the group say the claim will cost Birmingham City Council £2 million - and they have another 1000 cases of former council workers who say they were also underpaid.

The Supreme Court has told Birmingham City Council it must abide by a previous High Court ruling that it underpaid former female employees, which could pave the way for huge compensation claims.

It's a landmark ruling that could see millions handed out in claims by Birmingham and other councils.

In 2007 and 2008 about 5000 women were given tens of thousands of pounds in compensation.

The Supreme Court has allowed 174 women to continue with their claims for equal pay compensation against their former employer Birmingham City Council.

Birmingham City Council will find out today whether it has been successful in appealling a legal bid to have hundreds of equal pay claims 'struck out'.

It follows an ongoing dispute over equal pay by some of its female staff. If it is unsuccessful, thousands of potential claimants, could bring their claims through the civil court.