Birmingham City Council’s controversial pest control charge for rats is set to rise again under new proposals. After declaring itself effectively bankrupt in 2023, the Labour-run council introduced charges for ‘rat in garden and rat in house treatments’ – a service which was previously free. The charge, dubbed a ‘rat tax’ by critics, was hugely divisive and prompted councillor Sam Forsyth to dramatically quit the Labour Party last year. READ MORE: Full list of price rises for Birmingham residents as council services set for hike The charge rose from £24 to £26.40 in 2025 despite calls to axe it amid fears over the impact of the ongoing bins strike. The council’s rat treatments are temporarily free of charge in a bid to “prioritise public health” due to the ongoing industrial action by bin workers. But the authority is now planning to increase the charge once again, so residents would face forking out £27.60 – a rise of 4.55 per cent – when payments resume. The hike is part of a fresh wave of price rises …