Birmingham City Council and Unite: Refuse Workers’ Pay

Debate between Lord Evans of Rainow and Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

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.

Car Parking Companies

Debate between Lord Evans of Rainow and Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

Tuesday 4th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

Once again, I understand the frustrations about this. It is for hospital trusts to decide how they manage their own parking arrangements, and people can challenge that. However, I appreciate that there are significant issues in that respect. I am sorry to keep repeating it, but if the noble Baroness wishes to put in a submission to the consultation, I would be grateful to hear from her.

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

My Lords, is the Minister, whom we all have very high respect for, aware that certain local authorities discriminate against four-wheel drive vehicles parking in town centres? I can hear the Liberal Democrats saying, “Quite right, too”, but for those of us who live in rural areas, having a four-wheel drive is not unusual, and in many cases it is a necessity. Four-wheel drive vehicles are part and parcel of the countryside, and sometimes we wish to visit town centres. Can the Minister look into this matter?

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I can remember the letters. Local authorities are best placed to determine the nature and scope of parking policies in their own areas, including whether parking should be provided free, balancing the needs of residents, emergency services and local businesses that work in and visit those areas. There is a right to challenge now, which was published in 2015, which advises how residents can challenge and cause a formal review of parking policies in their local area. If the noble Lord is worried about four-wheel drive parking, he can always challenge that with his local authority.