More than 60 women are challenging Reading Council in court today, arguing they are owed more than £1.5m in equal pay claims.

Trade union Unison said the council was the only local authority in England and Wales to never settle an equal pay claim. 

It also accused the council of using the £9m put aside to pay the claims to balance its budget instead.

‘Reading Council has known for many years it was guilty of treating its low-paid male and female employees very differently,' said Unison south-east regional secretary Maggi Ferncombe.

‘But rather than cough up the cash owed when it had the chance, the local authority has instead chosen to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on expensive lawyers trying to avoid settling the case.

‘The council's actions are nothing short of immoral. 

‘The stress of the last seven years has taken its toll upon many of the women, who will be hoping that today really is the beginning of the end.'

The case is based on claims the council paid men substantially more for doing equivalent jobs.

A council spokesman said: 'The council has an equal pay policy for all staff, in accordance with national and legal requirements.

'Where historic claims arise they are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and through the employment tribunal system.

'Cases are complex and can take some time to resolve.

'Progress is being made on settlement discussions.

'By the end of this year the council hopes to be in a position to begin to make payments in some individual cases.'