Five million people could see their bins collected less frequently from April despite facing punishing council tax hikes, analysis has found.
New data has revealed that 42 councils in the UK – more than one in ten – are considering reducing their waste collection services to save money.
More than eight million people could experience some kind of change to their bin collection schedule if all proposals are waved through, with almost five million of these seeing a reduction.
In addition, over 800,000 could have their weekly recycling service cut to fortnightly or monthly.
The vast majority of local authorities across the UK slashing bin collections are simultaneously hiking council tax by 4.99 per cent, the maximum figure allowed without a local referendum or special government permission.
Birmingham’s 1.1million residents are facing a 7.5 per cent tax rise – signed off by Angela Rayner on Monday – while seeing their residual waste collected fortnightly, instead of weekly.
It is a similar story for the almost-500,000 living in Bristol – who are still consulting on whether to collect residual waste monthly, instead of fortnightly.
Cheshire East, which asked for a ten per cent tax rise, plans to save around £1million annually from the move.
Almost 500,000 living in Bristol – who are still consulting on whether to collect residual waste monthly, instead of fortnightly (pictured: A man empties waste into a wheelie bin in Bristol)
New data has revealed that 42 councils in the UK – more than one in ten – are considering reducing their waste collection services to save money (pictured: Overflowing bins awaiting collection by refuse workers on Cherry Street in the Walton area of Liverpool)
The vast majority of local authorities across the UK slashing bin collections are simultaneously hiking council tax by 4.99 per cent (file image)
Councillor Mick Warren, chair of the environment and communities committee, admitted the change is unpopular but that recent legislation demanding authorities collect food waste weekly requires ‘significant and costly operational changes’.
The analysis also reveals Leicester, Wakefield, Sandwell, Lewisham and Stoke-on-Trent as other local authorities where over 250,000 residents could be affected. All six have proposed to hike council tax by 4.99 per cent from April.
Joanna Marchong, investigations campaign manager of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, which uncovered the data, said: ‘Residents will be left wondering what to do when the bin lorries don’t show up and the rubbish piles high.
‘A shocking number of councils are considering cutting collections, which would leave people facing ever-growing mountains of waste.
‘Town halls need to stop making a mess of basic services and focus on delivering what taxpayers pay for.’
Under the previous Tory government, ministers said residual waste must be collected at least fortnightly due to concerns over smells and vermin if it was less frequent.
However, guidance from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs issued in November appears to remove that requirement, simply saying that authorities should decide collection frequency ‘in a way that meets local needs and provides value for money for the taxpayer’.
The analysis also reveals Leicester, Wakefield, Sandwell, Lewisham and Stoke-on-Trent as other local authorities where over 250,000 residents could be affected
More than eight million people could experience some kind of change to their bin collection schedule if all proposals are waved through, with almost five million of these seeing a reduction (file image)
Conservative Shadow Communities Secretary Kevin Hollinrake said last night: ‘With soaring council tax and cuts to bin collections, under Labour, you pay more and get less.
‘Councils can only do this because the new Labour Government have scrapped Conservative plans to ensure minimum collection requirements, that would have banned 3 and 4 week collections, and ensured weekly collections of smelly waste.
‘Town Hall Bin Bullies should not be canning collections, and letting rubbish pile up in the streets.
‘We need councils that get the basics done right. With Labour, you face higher bills, worse services, and mountains of waste on your road.’
A Government spokesman said: ‘Councils deliver vital services for local residents, which is why the Government has confirmed £69 billion in funding in England, a 6.8 per cent cash terms increase in Core Spending Power, as well as committing to work together towards a fairer long term funding model.
‘The Government has been clear councils should provide reasonable waste collection services to residents.’
