logo
Calls to halt fortnightly Birmingham bin collections as strike goes on

Calls to halt fortnightly Birmingham bin collections as strike goes on

BBC News25-03-2025
The ongoing bin strike in Birmingham means the plan to introduce fortnightly collections should be called off, opposition councillors say.All-out industrial action in the city is over the Labour-run city council's plans to downgrade some staff and reduce their pay as part of bids to shore up the troubled authority's finances.In a letter addressed to the cabinet member for the environment, Conservative councillors requested the move from weekly to fortnightly bin collections be suspended until 2026.An authority spokesperson said it was still "considering its options" on delaying the rollout, as a result of strike action by members of the union Unite.
They also explained the move to a fortnightly collection of household rubbish would be introduced alongside weekly food waste collections and a second recycling bin specifically for recycling paper and cardboard.This would increase the amount of waste recycled and comply with the Environment Act 2021, the spokesperson added.
'Significant disruption and uncertainty'
The strike action, involving more than 400 bin workers, has been happening on and off since January.It has left rubbish piled high on streets across the city, with reports that rubbish has attracted rats and other pests.In a letter addressed to Majid Mahmood, the council's cabinet member for environment, Conservative councillors wrote that Brummies were already grappling with "significant disruption and uncertainty"."Adding a major overhaul to collection schedules will exacerbate an already untenable situation for households across the city," the shadow cabinet members continued.It added that fortnightly collections would be a "double whammy" amidst the burden of the strikes."We urge you to pause this plan until the industrial action is settled, the streets are cleaned and normal service resumes," the letter added."We believe that summer of 2026 is the earliest possible practical timeframe to allow the council to properly plan for this."
Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NHS in Scotland 'stuck in analogue age' as health boards shell out millions on pagers
NHS in Scotland 'stuck in analogue age' as health boards shell out millions on pagers

Daily Record

timean hour ago

  • Daily Record

NHS in Scotland 'stuck in analogue age' as health boards shell out millions on pagers

Labour claimed the continued reliance on the devices proved the SNP Government was failing to equip the NHS for the 21st century. Scotland's NHS is " stuck in an analogue age" after it was revealed that health boards have shelled out millions of pounds on pagers in recent years. The devices were widely used in the 1980s and 1990s for instant communication before being replaced long ago by smartphones. ‌ Scottish Labour said the continued reliance on the devices proved the SNP Government was failing to equip the NHS for the 21st century. ‌ Data obtained by the party found health boards had spent at least £4,596,608 on pagers since 2018/19, with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spending almost £1.8 million and NHS Lothian spending close to £1 million. But the total figure is expected to be higher as some health boards failed to respond to a freedom of information request. Spending on pagers increased in at least seven health boards, while rising by 8 percent overall between 2018/19 and 2024/ Labour is now calling for improvements to hospital WiFi to reduce reliance on outdated technology like pagers and improve service delivery. At least 13 fax machines — used for sending messages instantly before emails — are still in use in Scottish hospitals. Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour health spokeswoman, said: "The UK Labour government is setting out a blueprint for NHS England's digital future, but the SNP, Scotland's NHS is still stuck in an analogue age. "The SNP has been in power for as long as the iPhone has existed, yet all analogue John has invented is excuses. Getting reliable WiFi in Scottish hospitals is the bare minimum the Scottish Government should do to bring our NHS into the 21 st century. ‌ "While English patients will soon be able to book appointments by app, the SNP can only promise a pilot for dermatology appointments in Lanarkshire. "Only Scottish Labour can take our NHS out of the SNP's analogue age — that's the new direction Scotland needs." It comes after Wes Streeting last week branded John Swinney an "analogue politician". The UK Health Secretary took a swipe at the First Minister as plans were announced to expand the NHS app available for patients in England. The Scottish version has yet to launch. ‌ Streeting said: "The UK Labour government is embracing technology to deliver a better NHS for patients and their families, giving them more control and transparency over their treatment. "In John Swinney the SNP have an analogue politician in a digital age and patients in Scotland are missing out. The SNP have record funding and complete control of the NHS in Scotland. "There are no excuses for [not having an app in place] and it just shows why Scotland can't afford a third decade of the SNP." ‌ A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'This spend of £4.6 million since 2018/19 must be seen in the context of an NHS budget that was more than £100 billion over the same period. 'While innovation and use of digital technology is essential to ensure the health and social care system's long-term sustainability, health boards should deploy the technology that enables NHS staff to best serve the needs of patients. "We expect health boards to embrace the latest tools, but also understand that pagers may be more practical and preferred in some cases. 'We have already taken significant steps through our Operational Improvement Plan and Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework to set out clear actions to harness digital innovation, improve access to treatment, shift the balance of care into the community and strengthen prevention.'

New proposals to cut PIP and disability benefits ahead of full review
New proposals to cut PIP and disability benefits ahead of full review

Daily Mirror

time3 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

New proposals to cut PIP and disability benefits ahead of full review

The Centre for Social Justice has called for emergency measures to be brought in to reduce the number of people currently on the benefit New plans to slash Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have been put forward, aligning with a forthcoming Government review of the benefit. Currently, Labour has paused any steps regarding PIP within its welfare overhaul due to a backlash from MPs and activists for disability rights. Originally, there was a move to impose a four-point rule to tighten PIP accessibility. This would've meant claimants needing at least one tally of four points in assessed daily living activities to qualify. However, modifications to PIP are now set to follow only after Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, conducts a thorough examination. ‌ READ MORE: 'I'm a beauty writer - the new ghd curling wand gave me perfect waves in 15 mins' Slated for completion by Autumn 2026, the 'Timms Review' vows to be "co-produced with disabled people, along with the organisations that represent them, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard." ‌ The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), a centre-right think tank, is urging for an expedited review and argues for a significant reform of PIP to "redirect funding from long-term cash payments." In the updated 'Change the Prescription' report, the CSJ outlines several proposals concerning eligibility for PIP and the health component of Universal Credit, reports Birmingham Live. Amongst their suggestions is the ceasing of PIP and Universal Credit health benefits for individuals experiencing slighter forms of anxiety, depression, and ADHD - a change that could impact over a million beneficiaries, including those currently receiving standard-rate PIP for such conditions. ‌ For those who continue to be eligible due to receiving the enhanced rate of PIP, their payments would be cut by roughly £80 a week to match the standard rate. The report estimates this would save £7.4 billion annually by 2029/2030 and suggests that £1 billion of this could be reinvested in frontline mental health services such as NHS Talking Therapies, local support groups, work coaches and community interventions. The think tank suggests that limiting eligibility for PIP and the UC health element to the most severe cases of anxiety, depression and ADHD would save approximately £8.8 billion. ‌ Joe Shalam, policy director at the CSJ, said: "Liz Kendall deserves credit for tackling the perverse incentives that have crept into the welfare system since Covid. "People who cannot work due to sickness or disability must always be protected, but as our research shows, too many people are trapped in a cycle of dependency and wasted potential. "By tightening eligibility for mental health benefits and investing in therapy and employment support, ministers can save public money and transform lives. The Timms Review must be brought forward to Autumn, there is no time to lose." ‌ Labour's welfare reforms bill was supported by MPs only after a £5 billion reduction to PIP was dropped. However, the CSJ argues that the rising number of PIP claims are contributing to a significant gap between welfare and work that needs immediate attention. The report suggests that a person who is economically inactive and on Universal Credit, including the average housing element to cover their rent, and also receiving PIP, would have a taxpayer-funded Government income of around £25,000 - this increases to £27,500 for those awarded the highest rate of PIP. However, this amount drops to £22,550 once the welfare bill's cut to the Universal Credit health element for new claimants is considered. In contrast, a full-time worker earning the National Living Wage (NLW) is projected to make £22,500 after paying income tax and National Insurance, creating a £2,500 disparity between work and welfare for existing claimants. The CSJ argues that the gap widens even further when additional benefits are factored in. For instance, an unemployed single parent, claiming PIP for anxiety and disability allowance for a child with additional needs such as ADHD, would receive £36,900, which is over £14,000 more than the net wages of a full-time worker on the National Living Wage.

Starmer aims to break cabinet away day curse
Starmer aims to break cabinet away day curse

Sky News

time3 hours ago

  • Sky News

Starmer aims to break cabinet away day curse

Sir Keir Starmer was hoping to break the curse of the cabinet away day as he summoned his ministers to Chequers for the launch of a summer "refresh" of his troubled government. The aim: to plot a course for a recovery during Labour's second year in power after a first 12 months blighted by economic woes, rows over freebies, humiliating U-turns and rebellions. In the past, the away day rules from the No 10 high command have included no woolly jumpers and no sandwiches. This time, the rule to ministers was: "Don't call it a reset." The curse of this away day could turn out to be the threat of a looming ministerial reshuffle, which some MPs predict could come as early as next week. Could some of those present face the axe? According to the official readout of Sir Keir's away day, the prime minister chaired a session on how the government will use AI "to turbocharge its Plan for Change". But that was just a small part of the discussions. Top of the agenda for a "political cabinet", without civil servants, were the storm clouds over the economy and the options for Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her make-or-break autumn budget. And based on the experience of previous cabinet away days, from Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown to Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, the omens were not good. Away days may seem like a good idea at the time, but most end badly. The idea of Chequers away days has been to hold a brainstorming session in the privacy of the Buckinghamshire countryside without distractions or prying photographers, reporters or TV crews. But over the years, like most family get-togethers, there have been personality clashes, squabbles about what to eat and what to wear, disputes about who takes centre stage, and even backstabbing and walkouts. The last Chequers cabinet away day, held by Mr Sunak in January 2023, took place with two senior figures facing official investigations. Tory chair Nadhim Zahawi was engulfed in a tax scandal and deputy prime minister Dominic Raab was facing bullying allegations. Mr Zahawi was out within a week after this away day and Mr Rabb within three months. Without doubt, the most disastrous cabinet awayday at Chequers was in July 2018, when Ms May thought she'd persuaded her cabinet to back her Brexit deal. Then, as now, the heat was sweltering. But two days later, David Davis quit as Brexit secretary and Mr Johnson - who was said to have proposed a champagne toast to the prime minister at Chequers - resigned as foreign secretary the following day. Ms May thought she had a deal that would keep the UK closely tied to the EU's customs union and single market. But it was doomed even during that away day. It was reported that ministers were warned that anyone who resigned would have to walk a mile down the drive and get a lift home with the local taxi firm, whose cards had been left in the foyer. When he resigned, Mr Davis was said to have been livid about hostile briefing from senior figures in Downing Street about how the Brexiters would be treated at Chequers, including the taxi threat. And Mr Johnson not only launched a "Chuck Chequers" campaign opposing Ms May's deal, but also a campaign to chuck her out of Downing Street and seize her job for himself. As prime minister, he also held a cabinet awayday, not at Chequers, but at a pottery in the heart of the "red wall" in Stoke-on-Trent, in 2022. The venue might have been different, but that was cursed too. Just weeks later Mr Johnson's cabinet shattered like broken Wedgwood china following the resignations of Mr Sunak and Sajid Javid. The modern trend for cabinet away days was started by Sir Tony - who else? - in 1998. The rules for ministers were laid down by his chief of staff Jonathan Powell, now Sir Keir's national security adviser. In a memo to cabinet ministers attending, he wrote: "TV will film people arriving and going, so there can be no woolly jumpers." Mr Powell was rebuffed by Sir Tony, however, when he suggested in a memo to the prime minister that Mr Brown should start the meeting with a discussion on the economy. "No," Sir Tony replied bluntly in a handwritten note. Peter Mandelson, now Britain's ambassador in Washington, demanded "something nicer than sandwiches" for lunch and got his wish when a buffet was laid on. Sir Keir's Chequers away day also began with lunch, then the short formal cabinet meeting with the discussion about AI, then the political cabinet, which was the real reason for the away day. No need for woolly jumpers in the 32C heat. Just don't call it a "refresh".

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store