Central government and local government lock horns over bin collection

It seems that Cardinal Walter Kasper was right: parts of Britain are suggestive of the Third World. The Sun has been leading the tally-ho against council leaders in Exeter and Birmingham, who have allowed rubbish to lie in the streets for more than a month. And today, Local Government Minister Bob Neil joined (£) the fray, condemning councils for failing to deliver ‘one of the most basic services’. (He also mentioned executive pay, again.)

Recalcitrant councils have issued a plethora of meteorological excuses, but these are mostly a distraction. Many councils managed to remove rubbish over Christmas; David Cameron commended them for their efforts. Others remained inert on grounds of health and safety; thereby creating a far greater health and safety risk: widespread rat infestations, read Samuel Pepys on the associated dangers. The more enterprising refuseniks invoked the Big Society and told residents to jump in the hatchback, brave the ice and dump 4 weeks of refuse at the local tip.