To ensure it avoids any costly employment legal action over equal pay, the local authority said it must address the issue now.

They claim that 90% of those affected in its 8,000-strong workforce will be better off or receive roughly the same amount but union representatives claim Cityclean staff could lose up to £4,000 a year.

For those who will lose out, individual compensation packages, reportedly of up to £15,000, will be available.

The local authority claims if the changes are not made it could lead to High Court pay claims and a potential bill to the taxpayer of tens of millions of pounds.