Lichfield Council to help clear rubbish from Birmingham's streets
It's as today marks four weeks since bin workers in the City downed tools indefinitely in a strike over pay and conditions
Last updated 8th Apr 2025
A neighbouring council's confirmed it will be sending support to help clear Birmingham's streets of rubbish, as the City Council's dispute with bin workers continues.
Lichfield District Council's announced it's support, after a major incident was declared by Birmingham City Council last week.
Today marks four weeks since the dispute began, and a resolution is yet to be met with Unite the union.
Councillor Doug Pullen, Leader of Lichfield District Council, confirmed the support on his Facebook page yesterday.
He said: "We are sending support to our neighbours in Birmingham to help clear the backlog of rubbish piling on their streets."
Lichfield's collections are continuing as normal during the extra services provided for Birmingham City. Cllr Pullen also confirmed the support will not be costing Litchfield tax payers any money.
The Government and Birmingham City Council are thought to have got in touch with Lichfield District Council, with Cllr Pullen saying they were asked to help clear the rubbish that's currently "plaguing the city".
An estimated 20 thousand tonnes of rubbish is on the streets of Birmingham currently, and yesterday, concerns were raised by Perry Barr MP Ayoub Khan, who suggested other resources such as the Army should be drafted in to help clear the mess.
Mr Khan told the Commons: "This morning, the firefighters in Birmingham have made it plain that they are going to stand in solidarity with the bin strikers in Birmingham, so they're not going to collect the rubbish."
He later added: "Given what this Government has said, that they will do all that they can to bring this strike to an end, would the Deputy Prime Minister confirm that they will force the council to make that payment and deploy the Army to assist the local charities and organisations that are helping themselves in clearing - they need the extra support?"
Ms Rayner, who is the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, had earlier told MPs: "Our priority is tackling the misery and disruption for residents.
"Government has consistently urged the council and Unite to sit down and resolve the dispute.
"I welcome that they met yesterday and that further talks are taking place today, and we continue to press all parties to negotiate an urgent resolution.
"It is essential to protect public health by tackling the backlog of waste, and my department is in close contact with the council."