Title

INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Military planners sent to Brum amid bin strikes

Military planners have been called in to help tackle the backlog of rubbish in Birmingham that has built up during the ongoing strike.

© richardjohnson/Shutterstock

© richardjohnson/Shutterstock

Military planners have been called in to help tackle the backlog of rubbish in Birmingham that has built up during the ongoing strike.

The month-long strike by members of Unite has left thousands of tonnes of uncollected rubbish on the streets.

After a Government appeal to the Army, a small number of office-based planners will provide logistical support to help plan the clean up.

A Government spokesperson said: ‘The Government has already provided a number of staff to support the council with logistics and make sure the response on the ground is swift to address the associated public health risks.

‘In light of the ongoing public health risk, a small number of office-based military personnel with operational planning expertise have been made available to Birmingham City Council to further support in this area.'

Unite workers are set to vote on a deal to end the strike today.

INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Unite accuses Birmingham CC leaders of misleading scrutiny committee

By William Eichler | 14 January 2026

Unite has accused Birmingham City Council’s lead commissioner and managing director of misleading councillors during a meeting of a key scrutiny committee as...

INDUSTRIAL ACTION

'Exporting' the housing challenge

By Paul Marinko | 14 January 2026

The growing tendency of councils to use ‘out of area’ placements to discharge their housing responsibilities is increasing tension between local authorities....

INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Pay body could have 'unintended consequences'

By Martin Ford | 13 January 2026

The Government has been warned of ‘unintended consequences’ stemming from its proposed adult social care negotiating body (ASCNB).

INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Housing targets could be reduced for new town areas

By Paul Marinko | 13 January 2026

The Government has indicated councils’ housing targets could be reduced if planned new towns are placed in the area.

Popular articles by William Eichler