Birmingham bin strike has left streets overflowing with rubbish, prompting outraged residents to demand a council tax rebate after spending thousands of pounds on private waste removal.
In the city’s Jewellery Quarter, resident Chris Whittock said neighbours in his block have collectively spent £2,900 on private skips since 12 February to manage the escalating waste crisis. “We paid as much as £450 per skip at first, but with bulk orders, it dropped to £380,” he explained.
With the Birmingham City Council bin strike entering its third consecutive week of full stoppage, piles of rubbish continue to attract rats, cockroaches, and pests, leaving residents fed up with deteriorating living conditions.
Residents Say They’re Paying for Services They’re Not Receiving
Whittock said taxpayers are being forced to handle a basic service the council has failed to provide. “We are paying our council tax and not getting waste collection—it’s appalling,” he said. He added that waste meant for recycling is now being dumped into landfills, undermining Birmingham’s sustainability targets.
The ongoing industrial action, involving around 350 Unite union members, started intermittently in January before escalating to an all-out strike on 11 March due to a pay dispute.
Council Warns Against Withholding Council Tax
Despite mounting complaints, Birmingham City Council warned residents not to stop paying council tax. “It is a legal responsibility to pay council tax and we urge people to continue doing this,” a council spokesperson said. They added that the dispute was between the union and the council, and that council tax funds support a wide range of services—not just waste collection.
Tony Travers, a local government expert at the London School of Economics, supported the council’s stance: “While rubbish collection is vital, it’s one of many services the council provides. Withholding council tax is not lawful.”
Unequal Service and Community Frustration
Residents in different parts of the city have also claimed unequal rubbish collection, with major roads allegedly being prioritised while cul-de-sacs and quieter streets are ignored. Lorraine Boyce from West Heath said, “Bags have been piling up for weeks, and people are now fly-tipping after dark.”
Political Backlash Against Fortnightly Collection Plans
The bin strike has triggered political backlash, with Conservative councillors urging the Labour-led council to halt plans to reduce collections from weekly to fortnightly. In a letter to Environment Cabinet Member Majid Mahmood, they wrote: “Introducing major changes now will worsen an already dire situation. Delay the rollout until 2026.”
The council said it is currently “considering its options” regarding the proposed changes.
