OUTCOME SUMMARY
Scottish Claims Helpline referred claimants to Dallas McMillan solicitors in the North Ayrshire Council equal pay action. Our referred clients received approximately £1.875 million in total compensation. Claims were brought under the Equality Act 2010 for predominantly female workers paid less than male comparators.
The Challenge: Years of Unequal Pay
North Ayrshire Council employed large numbers of female workers in care at home, cleaning and catering roles. For years these workers were paid significantly less than male workers in roles of equivalent value — including refuse collectors, road workers and groundsmen. This is a breach of the equal pay provisions of the Equality Act 2010, which requires men and women to receive equal pay for equal work, work rated as equivalent, or work of equal value.
The Process: How the Claims Were Brought
Scottish Claims Helpline identified eligible claimants — current and former North Ayrshire Council employees in affected roles — and referred them to Dallas McMillan solicitors, who specialise in equal pay employment law. Our role was to assess eligibility, explain the claims process, and ensure claimants were registered and supported through to resolution.
North Ayrshire Council payouts began following settlement negotiations. Scottish Claims Helpline's referred clients received a combined total of approximately £1.875 million in compensation — calculated from our 4p per pound referral fee of £75,000.
The Legal Basis
Equal pay claims in Scotland are brought under the Equality Act 2010. Workers can compare themselves to a real comparator of the opposite sex employed by the same employer. Where a job evaluation scheme has rated roles as equivalent, or where an Employment Tribunal finds work to be of equal value, the employer must pay equally. Claimants in Scotland can recover up to 5 years of backdated pay.
Who Was Eligible?
Current and former North Ayrshire Council employees who worked in roles including:
- Care at Home workers
- Home carers and home helps
- Cleaners and domestic assistants
- Catering and kitchen staff
- School support staff
The Outcome
Settlement negotiations with North Ayrshire Council resulted in payouts to eligible claimants. Scottish Claims Helpline's referred clients received a total of approximately £1.875 million in compensation. The amount each individual received depended on their length of service, the pay gap between their role and the male comparator, and whether they worked full or part time.
Timeline
- 2004–2016
Scottish councils settled around 70,000 equal pay claims at a cost of some £750 million. By September 2016, North Ayrshire Council still had more than 95% of its claims live — the highest proportion of any Scottish council (Accounts Commission, 2017).
- Claims lodged
Care at Home workers, cleaners and catering staff brought claims under the Equality Act 2010 through Dallas McMillan solicitors. Scottish Claims Helpline assessed and referred eligible current and former employees.
- 2023
Litigation against North Ayrshire Council was still ongoing while other councils, including Fife, reached judgment or settlement.
- 2026
Following settlement negotiations, payouts are made to eligible claimants. Scottish Claims Helpline’s referred clients received approximately £1.875 million in total.
- 2026 onwards
Claims are continuing with Dallas McMillan for Care at Home Assistants currently employed by the council.
Are you a current or former North Ayrshire Council employee?
Claims may still be open. Contact us for a free, no obligation assessment.
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About this page: Written by
David Gildea, Scottish Claims Helpline. Last reviewed: September 2026. Scottish Claims Helpline is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (
FRN 830381). Compensation figures stated represent total amounts received by clients referred by Scottish Claims Helpline and are calculated from our own referral records. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.