Tesco could face up to £4bn bill in equal pay claim

Female workers claim they have been paid £5,000 less than the male workers on the same role. Women commonly are paid £8 an hour whereas the men could earn up to £11 an hour.

Law firm Leigh Day has lodged complaints on behalf of almost 100 workers although almost 200,000 could be affected, with female store workers putting in the claim for around £20,000 each.

The claims were submitted through the Acas conciliation service, which has dealt with similar claims against Asda and Sainsbury’s.

Paula Dee, the lawyer representing the Tesco female workers said “We believe an inherent bias has allowed store workers to be underpaid over many years.

"In terms of equal worth to the company there really should be no argument that workers in stores, compared to those working in the depots, contribute at least equal value to the vast profits made by Tesco.

“There might be lifting and carrying in the distribution centre but there is also lifting and carrying in shops as well as dealing with customers asking questions and handling money.”

Tesco said it will consider the changes in pay negotiating with the union Usdaw.

“We are unable to comment on a claim that we have not received. Tesco has always been a place for people to get on in their career, regardless of their gender, background or education, and we work hard to make sure all our colleagues are paid fairly and equally for the jobs they do,” said the company.

Tesco shares were down more than 1% down after the case was revealed and is now falling 0.83% to 199.3p.