Brighton and Hove City Council is unsure about the level of financial exposure it faces from more than 1,000 unresolved equal pay claims, its external auditor has warned.
A report from Grant Thornton cautioned that the council's potential liabilities linked to the claims – lodged by the GMB trade union – were ‘unquantifiable', with the legal process expected to take at least two years to resolve.
The council is contesting the claims and maintains they are ‘defensible'.
A council spokesperson said: ‘We're proud of our excellent record as a fair and inclusive employer and our approach to collaborating with our recognised unions to ensure this is maintained.'
