Around half of local authorities will fail to meet this month’s deadline to implement an equal pay structure, according to the Local Government Association.

The requirement follows a European ruling which means that women, in roles such as dinner ladies and cleaners, are now entitled to the same pay as their male counterparts.

As a result councils are facing a bill of £3bn in back pay to women workers.

* Do you have news for Recruiter? Let us know at [email protected]