In an extraordinary display of public anger, Birmingham City Council's plans to implement a massive 21% council tax hike were thrown into chaos today as furious protesters stormed the council chamber, bringing proceedings to an abrupt halt.
Council Chamber Descends Into Chaos
The dramatic scenes unfolded during a full council meeting at the Council House in Victoria Square, where councillors were preparing to vote on the controversial budget proposals. Dozens of protesters, shouting "shame on you" and "no to cuts," breached security and flooded into the chamber, forcing councillors to abandon their seats and flee through a back exit.
Council leader John Cotton and other senior figures were seen being hurriedly escorted from the room as security staff struggled to contain the situation. The meeting was officially suspended as chaos reigned in the historic chamber.
Protesters Make Their Voices Heard
Among the protesters was Salma Hamid, who told reporters: "We cannot afford these increases. People are struggling to feed their families and heat their homes. This 21% increase will destroy our community."
The protest organisation Birmingham Against the Cuts had mobilised supporters ahead of the meeting, arguing that residents shouldn't be forced to pay for the council's financial failures through soaring bills.
Background to the Budget Crisis
The proposed tax increase comes after Birmingham City Council effectively declared bankruptcy in September 2023, issuing a Section 114 notice amid a perfect storm of financial pressures. The authority faces a staggering £300 million bill to settle equal pay claims and has struggled with the disastrous implementation of a new IT system.
If approved, the budget would see council tax rise by 21% over two years - including the maximum 10% increase allowed this year, plus additional social care precepts.
What Happens Next?
The suspension leaves the council's financial future in limbo. Government commissioners, who have been overseeing the council's finances since the Section 114 notice, are watching developments closely.
Council officials now face the challenge of rescheduling the crucial budget meeting while managing unprecedented public anger. The scenes in Birmingham today highlight the growing tension between local authorities facing financial collapse and communities pushed to breaking point by the cost of living crisis.
As one protester put it: "This isn't just about numbers on a page - this is about people's lives."
