Birmingham bin strikes: Here's what Prime Minister Keir Starmer thinks of Birmingham's bin strikes
Sir Keir Starmer voices support for Birmingham City Council's decision to declare a major incident over the ongoing bin strikes, calling the situation 'completely unacceptable'.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called Birmingham’s bin strike “completely unacceptable” and backed the Labour-run council’s decision to declare a major incident 20 days into the dispute over pay.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticised Starmer for avoiding the issue, pointing to the 17,000+ tonnes of uncollected waste piling up since March 11.
Read more: How big is Birmingham's rubbish pile? 17,000 tonnes explained - including in St Andrew's away ends
“A state of emergency is usually for natural disasters, not Labour ones,” she said.
Starmer defended the council’s actions, saying, “I fully support the major incident declaration and will provide any additional support needed.”
Birmingham City Council cited public health risks and environmental damage in its decision.
It also blamed daily pickets by Unite union workers for blocking depots and preventing waste collection.
Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, accused the council of forcing through pay cuts and demotions rather than negotiating.
The union claims 50 workers would lose £8,000 a year and 20 others would see a £2,000 pay cut—claims the council denies.