Bin strike threat to public health - Streeting

As Birmingham's bin strikes enter their fifth week, the health secretary has said he is concerned about the impact of the walkout on public health.

Speaking to Times Radio, Wes Streeting said: "I certainly am concerned about the public health situation and the poor conditions we're seeing for people in Birmingham.

"As the bin bags are piling up, we see rats and other vermin crawling around."

Birmingham City Council said on Tuesday morning: "All of our waste wagons have been deployed from our three depots citywide this morning."

The strike has made headlines around the world, and last week the city council declared a major incident.

With the backlog of waste growing by 1,000 tonnes a week, neighbouring Lichfield District Council is due to start sending crews to help clear it.

The impact of fly-tipping on communities in the West Midlands, due to the strike, is being debated in the Commons on Tuesday.

"I understand industrial disputes happen," Streeting added. "I understand people have the right to withdraw their labour, that's part and parcel of industrial relations in our country.

"But what is not acceptable is allowing these sorts of... unsanitary conditions... to occur on people's streets."

Bin workers began indefinite strike action on 11 March, although walkouts have been taking place since January.

They are fighting plans to remove some roles and downgrade others.

Birmingham City Council said only a small number of workers would be facing pay cuts, and it desperately needs to save money after effectively declaring itself bankrupt in 2023.

Unite the Union, which is representing the workers, said Monday's talks had been "productive" despite the lack of resolution.

But it would not go into the details of what had been discussed.

"All I can say is we both want an end to this dispute," said Unite regional officer Zoe Mayou.