Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of uncollected rubbish in Birmingham on (a) public health and (b) levels of Weil’s disease.

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is closely monitoring the situation in Birmingham.

Birmingham City Council is conducting a risk assessment on the potential public health impacts of uncollected waste. The assessment is being led by the Director of Public Health for Birmingham and encompasses a broad range of potential impacts, including risk of infectious diseases, including Weil’s disease.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is part of a multi-agency response Strategic Coordinating Group, led by Birmingham City Council, and has contributed to the risk assessment. UKHSA will continue to provide advice and support to Birmingham City Council as long as is necessary.