Birmingham bin strikes five weeks on

Birmingham residents have been queuing up in their cars for miles in order to dispose of their rubbish. This comes as bin strikes enter a fifth week, as a major incident is declared by the city council.

Reporting from a collection point in Billesbey, BBC Midland’s David Lumb described the stench as “thick in the air”.

Asked about residents’ hopes that there could be a temporary halt to the strike action, Unite regional officer Zoe Mayou said “not for now”.

The union representing striking workers says the council is forcing some staff on to pay levels barely above the minimum wage – the council maintains it has made a fair and reasonable offer.