1 week Ago By Steph Spyro
The “worst-hit” areas for fly-tipping across England are run by Labour councils, the Tories have claimed. Their analysis of “shocking” government statistics suggested 36 of the 50 local authorities with the highest illegal dumping rates - 72% - are Labour-controlled. In 2023/24 alone, Sir Keir Starmer's own Camden council saw 34,786 incidents of fly-tipping - that is 95 incidents a day, or four every hour.
In the top 50 local authorities with the highest number of total incidents, the Tories feature five times. Robbie Moore, Shadow Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Minister, said: “If you vote Labour, you get trash. This new analysis shows how residents across the country are being failed by Labour’s rubbish local management — from bin strikes to soaring council tax, and now this epidemic of fly-tipping.
“In Birmingham, we see the consequences: rat-infested streets, collapsing services, and Labour councillors still voting through pay rises for themselves.” Members of Unite in Birmingham walked out last month in a bitter dispute over pay and jobs, leading to rubbish piling up on the city’s streets. The two sides have been holding a series of meetings in recent days in a bid to break the deadlock.
Angela Rayner has urged striking bin collectors in Birmingham to accept an “improved” deal as she met with volunteers clearing rubbish on the roads. The Deputy Prime Minister and local government minister Jim McMahon visited Birmingham on Thursday to meet with staff involved in clearing the backlog and volunteers clearing up their area. Ms Rayner, who is also Communities Secretary, said: “The people of Birmingham are our first priority – this dispute is causing misery and disruption to residents and the backlog must be dealt with quickly to address public health risks.
“My department is working with Birmingham City Council to support its response to accelerate clearing the backlog and rapidly improve the situation on the ground. Neighbouring authorities are providing additional vehicles and crews, and we are providing logistical support. “I have pressed both sides to negotiate at pace to urgently find a resolution.
There is now a better offer on the table and I would urge Unite to suspend the action and accept the improved deal so we achieve fairness for both workers and residents of this city.” A Labour Party spokesman: “Under the Tories watch, fly-tipping increased by more than a third. At the same time as fly-tipping soared, action against fly-tippers dropped, with fixed penalty notices to penalise those dumping rubbish falling by 12,000 since 2019.
Through our Plan for Change, Labour is clearing up the mess that the Tories left our country in.".
