Minister says Councils must right the wrong of unequal pay

Local Government Minister John Healey has announced more support for councils to deliver equal pay for thousands of workers, and end years of unfairness. "Thousands of council workers, and particularly women, lost out due to unequal pay, which in some cases persisted for decades. Councils have made real progress over the past few years to make equal pay back payments to thousands of employees - mainly women.   Mr Healey has confirmed that councils will be given additional financial flexibility next year to enable them manage their one-off costs of implementing equal pay. Minister John Healey emphasised that ‘work of equal value deserves equal pay, in councils as in any sector’.

According to Sir Steve Bullock, Chair of the Local Government Employers, "Councils want equal pay within their workforce and are working hard to achieve it”. Unison General Secretary Dave Prentis said:"This is a great step forward for thousands of women working in local councils who have suffered pay injustice for years. Women have been doubly hit by unequal pay and by the effects of these difficult economic times. It shows that the Government is sticking to its commitments to deliver equality and fairness throughout the local government workforce. To date, the Government has issued over £1.1 billion in capitalisation directions for equal pay back-pay.

Veronica Akinyemi, Director of Employ A Woman is particularly pleased about the news. She emphasised that her organisation is devoted to supporting the professional advancement of women at all levels (and sectors). Employ A Woman is keen to support the government and other organisations in achieving diversity objectives. She is pleased that some public bodies have signed up to exhibit at the upcoming Recruitment and Professional Development event for women on the 7th of May at the London Hilton on Park Lane.