Following weeks of bin strikes and the accumulation of 17,000 tonnes of rubbish, Birmingham City Council has officially declared a major incident due to escalating public health concerns.
Birmingham City Council has declared a major incident in response to an escalating waste crisis following several weeks of bin strikes. The strikes, which have been ongoing since March 11 and involve members of the Unite union, are rooted in disputes over pay and potential job losses. As a result, some 17,000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish have accumulated across the city’s streets, raising significant public health concerns.
On March 31, the council officially recognised the situation as a “public health emergency”, with local residents reporting alarming scenes of rubbish strewn throughout neighbourhoods. Billy Moore, a resident who shared footage of the situation on TikTok, noted, “There are rats as big as cats; I believe there are reports of people getting sick and ill. It’s everywhere.” His video has gained considerable attention, highlighting overflowing bins and piles of discarded furniture and mattresses.
The local council remarked that members of Unite have set up picket lines that have obstructed waste vehicles from operating effectively, exacerbating the crisis. In response, the council has dispatched additional resources, including 35 new refuse vehicles, and is exploring support from neighbouring authorities in a bid to alleviate the situation.
Reports indicate that residents are increasingly fearful of the public health implications of living in such conditions, with several noting the prevalence of rats and other vermin that have proliferated due to the excess of waste. Emil Laursen, a father from Balsall Heath, described the transformation of Birmingham into what some are calling a “third world city”, stressing the need for swift action to address the accumulating rubbish. He expressed his frustration, stating, “It has become a public health issue for sure.”
Former waste management worker Mazar Dad highlighted the growing rat population, adding, “The problem has got tremendously worse week by week.” He condemned a lack of effective contingency planning from the council, suggesting that if the strikes were resolved immediately, it would still take months to completely clear the waste obstruction.
Birmingham City Council has assured residents that they are attempting to manage the situation, encouraging them to continue placing out their rubbish bins on scheduled collection days, despite the interruptions caused by the strikes. Cllr John Cotton, leader of Birmingham City Council, acknowledged the distress caused to residents, asserting that the declaration of a major incident was necessary to mobilise resources and validate the urgency of the situation.
Meanwhile, Unite has framed the council’s declaration as a strategic move to undermine opposition against cuts to pay and job security. General Secretary Sharon Graham stated, “Birmingham council could easily resolve this dispute but instead it seems hellbent on imposing its plan of demotions and pay cuts at all costs.”
As tensions between the council and the union persist, residents have called upon both parties to negotiate a swift resolution in hopes of restoring normal waste collection services and rectifying the public health crisis that has emerged in Birmingham.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://news.sky.com/story/major-incident-declared-in-birmingham-as-17-000-tonnes-of-rubbish-piles-up-13339391 – This article supports the claim that Birmingham City Council has declared a major incident due to a massive accumulation of rubbish during the bin strikes, which started in March and are linked to Unite union disputes over pay.
- https://conservativehome.com/2025/03/31/robert-alden-our-plan-to-end-the-birmingham-bin-strike/ – This piece details the impact of the bin strikes on Birmingham, including the reports of large rats and the ongoing public health crisis, as well as criticizing the Labour administration for the situation.
- https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/mp/jim-mcmahon/debate/2025-03-31/commons/commons-chamber/birmingham-city-council – This link provides context on the parliamentary discussion regarding the Birmingham City Council’s handling of the waste crisis, mentioning the industrial action by the Unite union.
- https://news.sky.com/story/major-incident-declared-in-birmingham-as-17-000-tonnes-of-rubbish-piles-up-13339391 – The article also notes that the council has deployed additional resources to manage the crisis and explores support from neighbouring authorities.
- https://www.noahwire.com – While not directly providing additional corroboration beyond the original report, this source indicates where the original article could be found, focusing on public health concerns and resident reactions.
- https://conservativehome.com/2025/03/31/robert-alden-our-plan-to-end-the-birmingham-bin-strike/ – This article highlights the local Conservative group’s plan to end the strike and criticizes the Labour administration’s handling of waste services, including past disputes and mismanagement.
- https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/birmingham-bin-crisis-hits-disgusting-31323929 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references ongoing events with recent dates, such as strikes starting on March 11 and the declaration of a major incident on March 31. These specifics suggest the information is current.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Direct quotes are provided, including from local residents and officials, but lack specific sources or dates of origin. They seem original to the narrative, given no easily found prior references online.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from Birmingham Mail, a well-known and reputable local news source, suggesting high reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims regarding the bin strikes and public health concerns are plausible, given the context of labour disputes and public service disruptions.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, references current events, and is provided by a reliable source. Quotes appear to be original, adding to the narrative’s credibility. Overall, the content seems accurate and reliable.
