Sunderland Council loses equal pay judgement

Sunderland Council has lost part of an eight year legal battle against claims for compensation over equal pay.

Women employed by the authority said they'd been paid less than men for doing equivalent jobs.

Their case relates to bonuses dating back to the 1970's where male workers were often paid up to 50% more.

Sunderland City Council has released its response to an Appeal Court decision that paves the way for compensation claims by its female employees. The council lost part of an 8-year battle against a group of women employees, who said they had been paid less than male workers in similar jobs.