UNITE leader Sharon Graham has asked why councillors are not facing a 25 per cent pay cut after Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner urged striking Birmingham bin collectors to accept an “improved” deal.

Members of the union launched an all-out strike last month in a bitter dispute over pay and jobs, which has led to the declaration of a public health emergency in the city.

As Ms Rayner, also Local Government Secretary, met with volunteers clearing up their area on Thursday, she said: “The people of Birmingham are our first priority — this dispute is causing misery and disruption to residents and the backlog must be dealt with quickly to address public health risks.