All-out bin strike a threat to public health, says Streeting

WES Streeting has warned about the public health situation in Birmingham, where a rubbish collection strike has left bin bags piling up and rats "crawling around".

- 

Members of the Unite union launched an all-out strike last month over pay and jobs, which has led to tonnes of black bin bags not being collected.

"I certainly am concerned about the public health situation and the poor conditions we're seeing for people in Birmingham," the Health Secretary told Times Radio. "As the bin bags are piling up, we see rats and other vermin crawling around.

"That's not good for public health. I think this dispute has escalated way out of hand."

He said it is "totally unacceptable" that the dispute has seen bin lorries blocked from leaving the depot.