Thousands of Birmingham City Council women workers will today receive payout offers, some expected to be 'life changing', after a five year legal battle over equal pay.

It was hailed as a 'historic day' by union leaders, and marks the end of a sorry chapter of discrimination that has now cost the council more than £1.5 billion in two decades.

One of those due an email this morning, Wednesday December 10, said it was like ' Christmas coming early'.

Classroom assistant and GMB member Pamela Whatley said she did not dare to dream what her settlement offer was going to be but she hoped she could finally clear debts and treat her kids after years of struggling and holding down two jobs to make ends meet.

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