Sir Keir Starmer urges striking bin workers to negotiate as rat-infested rubbish piles up

Photos reveal the extent of the rubbish crisis

Sir Keir Starmer has called on striking bin workers to engage in negotiations as tons of rat-infested rubbish continue to accumulate. The plea comes as images capture the dire situation in Birmingham, with a 50ft long, 6ft high mound of festering waste needing urgent removal at Tyseley Community Centre.

Eyesore in Birmingham as bin strike enters its 4th week

The city is grappling with the aftermath of the ongoing bin strike, with a mountain of black bags towering 6ft high at a temporary collection point in Tyseley. Four bin lorries and a craned truck were deployed overnight to address the escalating problem.

Union responds to the crisis

As tensions rise, the union representing the workers, Unite, has called on the Labour party to support the employees. Unite highlighted that bin crews faced a significant pay cut of up to £8,000 annually, attributing the dispute to austerity measures and decisions made by Birmingham City Council.

Rats and stench plague Birmingham residents

The repercussions of the strike are not limited to the visual eyesore, with reports of 'rats the size of cats' terrorizing locals. Residents in Birmingham have expressed concerns over the foul smell permeating the streets and the presence of large vermin scurrying around, adding to the distress caused by the mounting rubbish.