Birmingham City Council has paid over £470,000 in fines and charges for its own non-compliant vehicles in the Clean Air Zone, with most violations from the waste department despite ongoing replacements.
Reform, Greens and pro-Gaza independents make significant gains, although no party has yet won majorityElections mapped: how Labour lost ground in different directionsLatest news updates and analysis from election nightThe Labour party’s 14-year leadership in Birmingham has come to an end after Reform, Greens and pro-Gaza independents made significant gains in the UK’s second-largest city.No party has yet won an overall majority at Birmingham city council, one of Europe’s largest local authorities, with the results reflecting wider political fragmentation across England. Continue reading...
Birmingham city council leader John Cotton says a year-long bin strike is 'within sight' of resolution after committing to an improved offer for refuse workers. The strike began in January 2025 over proposed pay cuts and role changes, leading to 17,000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish and a major incident declaration. The new offer includes a two-month salary reduction cushion, permanent jobs for agency workers over 12 months, and quashed disciplinary issues. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham blamed government commissioners sent after the council went bankrupt in 2023 for blocking the deal. The announcement comes a week before local elections.
