15 h. ago ‘This is ideal for them’: business is booming for Birmingham’s ‘rat king’

The Guardian joins a pest controller on the city’s streets as residents fear a rise in rodents during bin workers’ strikes“They’re not fussy,” said Martin Curry, describing the far from epicurean appetites of the scurrying rodents that the residents of Birmingham fear could flood the streets of their city.“Rats all have their own personal tastes but if food is scarce they’ll eat anything,” he said. Curry, who has been called the “rat king” locally, runs MC Environmental Pest Control. He has been on the frontline of stamping out the rodent threat amid a weeks-long bin strike that has caused bins to pile up on Birmingham’s streets. Continue reading...

Economics

16 h. ago Union dismisses Starmer's desperate plea to 'get round the table' and end Birmingham bin strike crisis as fury mounts at Labour council

Amid mounting fury at the Labour-run council over the chaos, with rubbish piling up and rats running riot on the city's streets, No10 urged Unite to negotiate 'in good faith'.

Events

16 h. ago Birmingham bin strike: Residents say getting slot at tip like ‘winning lottery’

In some areas, communities are stepping in when they see people dumping rubbish on the streets.

Events

21 h. ago Independent councillor joins Labour run Merthyr Tydfil Council cabinet

Councillor Declan Sammon of the Dowlais and Pant Community Independents will have responsibility for transformation, governance, and social partnership

Politics

22 h. ago 'Woke' Labour council faces claims it tells staff to take 'white privilege' test

It is claimed that Westminster City Council wants to increase 'global majority' recruitment and make sure there is at least one ethnic minority candidate on job shortlists.

Events

23 h. ago Birmingham bins boss provides update on when mountains of rubbish could be cleared

All-out strike ongoing for weeks means 17,000 tonnes of waste remains uncollected across city

Politics

24 h. ago Thought Birmingham's bin strike was bad? How 1975 Glasgow walkout saw 70,000 tonnes of rubbish fester in the streets...before the Army were called in

In 1975, a mass walkout by binmen in a row over pay crippled Glasgow. In January of that year, around 350 workers began an unofficial strike that lasted more than three months.

Events

42 h. ago Minister visits Birmingham amid calls for Government to intervene in bin strike

Local government minister Jim McMahon will meet council chiefs in an effort to end the strike, which has seen tonnes of rubbish piling up.

Politics

42 h. ago ‘Rats the size of my arm’: Horrified Birmingham residents plead for end to bin strikes

In Birmingham, 17,000 tonnes of rubbish remains uncollected across the city.

Events

51 h. ago Union boss tells Angela Rayner ‘government can’t sit on hands’ over Birmingham bin strike row

Leaked letter reveals Unite's Sharon Graham told Deputy PM: 'Let me be very clear that the pay of these workers is being cut by a Labour Council under your watch.'

Politics

3 d. ago How Birmingham bin strike's buried the city in 17,000 tons of rubbish, unleashed huge rats and a disgusting stench... as tempers flare: ROBERT HARDMAN

The children are just a few feet away. I can hear them on the other side of the fence. They must be able to smell it: a mountain of leaking bin bags, foul-smelling waste sacks and suppurating wheelie-bins

Events

3 d. ago Birmingham bin strike: Rats seen roaming freely as waste piles up in hot weather

Rats are roaming freely with an average of 10 rodents spotted per hour on Birmingham streets as rubbish piles grow larger and residents are now losing patience with the striking workers

Events

4 d. ago Trumpism is sinking democratic values. It’s Starmer’s job to steer the UK back to safety | Polly Toynbee

US tariffs hit this week just as other costs start to bite in Britain. To meet these challenges, Labour will finally have to changeThe prime minister may pretend to “like and respect” Donald Trump, but elsewhere in parliament anti-Americanism is running hot. In a Lords debate on obesity last week, Labour’s Lord Brooke suggested imposing 25% tariffs on “American products which are causing us difficulties – Coca-Cola, Pepsi, KFC, McDonald’s”. The government replied that the US is an “indispensable ally”. That craven attitude may be politic today – right until it fails tomorrow.The outlook for Britain and other countries is bleak. Wednesday is “liberation day”, when Trump’s tariffs will hit a range of goods likely to send global economies tumbling. There is near-zero expectation that Britain’s genuflections will save us from the same punishment as the rest. As for Trump demanding no VAT on US imports to the UK, that’s extorting with menaces a benefit denied to our own producers. Even i...

Politics

4 d. ago Government accused of ‘washing its hands’ of Birmingham bin strike problem

MPs also heard a resident of the Edgbaston area of the city claimed to have been ‘bitten by a rat’.

Politics

4 d. ago Birmingham declares major incident over bin strike as MP says resident 'bitten by rat'

Council estimates 17,000 tonnes of waste remains uncollected around the city

Events

4 d. ago Birmingham City Council declares major incident over bin strike: Chaos as 17,000 tonnes of waste remains uncollected as picket lines block rubbish trucks at depots

Members of the Unite union in Birmingham are holding an all-out strike which has led to rubbish piling up in the streets.

Events

4 d. ago Major incident declared over bin strike as 17,000 tonnes of waste left to rot

The all-out strike has led to rubbish piling up in the streets and residents complaining about rats

Events

4 d. ago Birmingham City Council declares major incident as bin strike continues

The council says bin lorries are being prevented by picket lines from leaving waste depots.

Events

4 d. ago Birmingham bin strike escalates as council declares major incident

We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

Events

4 d. ago Birmingham bin strike escalates as council declares major incident with giant rats invading homes

Birmingham City Council has declared a major incident over a bin strike and said that picket lines blocking its depots are preventing waste vehicles from collecting 17,000 tonnes of rubbish

Events