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Lord Shipley (LD)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 1 April 2025

Debate

Birmingham City Council

Contribution

My Lords, the Minister has referred to serious financial failings in Birmingham, and the Statement admits that: “Practices in the waste service have been the source of one of the largest equal pay crises in modern UK history, resulting in costs of over £1 billion to the residents of Birmingham. This situation simply cannot continue”. Does the Minister agree that this situation might not have arisen had it not been for the abolition, just over a decade ago, of the Audit Commission, which had a role in delivering best value as well as formal audit responsibilities? Taking Birmingham as an example, might the Government consider whether that decision was wise and whether something needs to be done to improve long-term audit of local authorities in England?

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