Calling in Army to deal with bin strike proves Government's failure

Telegraph

14-04-2025

While the Armed Forces are renowned for fighting wars, another key string in the military's bow is its contribution to resilience.
When a request known as military aid to the civilian authorities (Maca) comes in from any government department, the Ministry of Defence will assess whether it meets the criteria. If it does, the Armed Forces will help.
A key principle that must be met is whether there is a threat to life.
However, as The Telegraph revealed on Sunday, the decision to send in troops to tackle the Birmingham bin crisis after Angela Rayner's department submitted a Maca request for help has left a sour taste in many mouths.
By calling on the military to sort out a problem that Ms Rayner, the Housing Secretary, failed to resolve when she met with union chiefs last week, it suggests that the Government has failed.
Labour cannot use central government funding to fix the problem because it would be deemed too toxic to do so, which means it will instead rely on the trusty military, which routinely (and uncomplainingly) answers the call to help whenever it comes.
The Armed Forces are often called in for 'niche' support, such as assisting the police with explosive ordnance disposal or providing specialist aerial imagery.
They also support major events, with thousands of troops supporting police during the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 and the Olympic Games in 2012.
Involvement in industrial action isn't unprecedented, with almost 250 military fuel tanker drivers mucking in during a 2021 national shortage of HGV drivers.
After the July 7 bombings, the MoD provided logistical and technical support in London, while the Cumbria floods of 2009 saw search and rescue helicopters locating stranded civilians.
In 2014, the military assisted with flood defences across the country, in a response led by Gen Sir Patrick Sanders, who would go on to become the head of the Army.
More than 3,500 service personnel were involved in rescuing those whose homes were underwater, as well as removing an aqua-dam and constructing metal barriers to divert the flow of rivers.
But it is the Covid pandemic that has stayed most prominently in public minds, as tens of thousands of personnel were drafted in for more than 400 Maca requests when the NHS became overwhelmed.
It is with this in mind that MPs and defence sources have questioned the decision to bring in troops to sort out a bin crisis they believe should have been resolved by Ms Rayner and the unions.
However, with the unions unequivocal that the deal backed by the Deputy Prime Minister will not be accepted, many have questioned Labour's ability to solve the dispute and asked where it can go next.
One source accused Ms Rayner of 'floundering', adding that the 'union is adamant and they are Labour's paymaster'. What they are clear on is that the Army cannot be relied on indefinitely.
Sir Ben Wallace, the former defence secretary, told The Telegraph that it was a 'scandal' to involve the military, adding that the Army should not have been enlisted to sort out Birmingham city council's mess.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, accused Labour of 'complete failure' to deal with the trade unions.
He told The Telegraph: 'The reality is the councils with the Government should have found an alternative way to clear the bins. It's not beyond the wit of man to solve this, rather than bring in soldiers.
'If they asked for volunteers in the area, gave them the vehicles and paid them the wages I believe you would get them. Had they done this early they would have brought Unite to the table. Instead, they will cave to the unions but the Army can't be there all the time. They can't hanging around being the bin cleaners.
'It is a very bad use of the Army and as someone who served in the Army when the Green Goddess strikes were underway when firefighters were striking, the Army can't be the go-to all the time.'
Sir Iain added: 'Less than a year after Labour get into power they already have to use emergency procedures because the trade unions are saying up yours. This is not a lasting solution and it's bad for the Army.'
A defence source familiar with Maca operations said that conversations ensuring 'all options had been exhausted' would have taken place before the MoD agreed to deploy service personnel to help in the Birmingham bin crisis.
However, if further requests came into Standing Joint Command (UK), he cautioned against what would be 'damaging' images of soldiers litter picking at a time where the military is fighting its own crisis in recruitment and retention.
'It's one thing to help out with floods or fires, backfill for armed police in terrorist situations, or a Covid situation, it's another thing where servicemen and women are being asked to do someone's job in a local dispute where arguably lives are not at risk,' he said.
However, the source explained that they understood the rationale of calling on the Armed Forces in this scenario.
'The military plans for everything, we have some very expert individuals who can go somewhere and see the wood for the trees. The expertise offered from people who do it all the time – they look at resources available and know what can be achieved, and with what capabilities – rather than those who don't practise planning on a daily basis.'