Thousands of council workers have received their first equal pay settlements in Glasgow after the council finalised a funding deal with Legal & General.

Glasgow City Council said the partnership with the insurance and pensions giant has enabled them to make the first batch of payments to claimants.

Council leader, Susan Aitken, said: ‘Today is the day that hundreds of millions of pounds starts to find its way into the pockets and purses of thousands of people who earned it and who always should have had it.’

The deal will see Legal & General invest £285m in the city over 30 years, refinancing the council’s existing property portfolio.

Cllr Aitken added: ‘This is a hugely significant step forward for the council and the city as a whole. This deal not only means we can meet our responsibilities on equal pay – but do so while safeguarding the future of the city’s property assets in public use.’

The council is on track to sign two more funding deals during summer recess to finance the rest of the settlement.