Birmingham City Council and Unite: Refuse Workers’ Pay

Lord Evans of Rainow Excerpts

Tuesday 17th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

The noble Lord makes a point that I want to expand on. It is very important for Birmingham and the people of the West Midlands that the economy can be driven forward so that we can develop the potential that we know Birmingham has. Having this dispute hanging over both the council and the people of Birmingham is not helping that to take place. That is why I say that the sooner we can get this dispute resolved, the sooner we can start building the economy, the potential and the future for Birmingham that we know are there and waiting to happen.

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

My Lords, the Minister did not answer my noble friend’s question. How many other councils could be in this position on equal pay?

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I think it is fair to say that the situation on equal pay has now been resolved in most councils. In my own council, it took a very long time indeed to resolve because it had not been looked at for a number of years. It often results in large costs for the councils. I cannot say specifically how many councils have not resolved it yet. I think there are probably very few, but I am happy to look into that and come back to the noble Lord.